This method to reverse cellular ageing is about to be tested in humans

3 min read Original article ↗

A burgeoning field is launching its first clinical trial to find out whether dialling back cell development can safely refresh aged tissues and organs.

Close-up portrait of an elderly woman during a funeral ceremony, Indonesia with young child's face in the background.

Technologies to refresh ageing tissue have become attractive targets for investors. Credit: Jean-Christophe Plat/Gamma-Rapho/Getty

Yuancheng Ryan Lu could barely breathe while he waited for his labmate to adjust the microscope focus.

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Nature 652, 291-293 (2026)

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-026-01024-7

Updates & Corrections

  • Correction 21 April 2026: The graphic in this article had an inaccurate label for the Yamanaka factor SOX2.

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