Three specific genes can reprogram old cells to act young
By activating a trio of proteins, scientists are attempting to regrow optic nerve fibers that normally lose the ability to regenerate once a person reaches adulthood.
The human body generally loses the ability to repair its own nervous system as it matures. In adults, the neurons that form the optic nerve, the vital bridge between the eye and the brain, do not naturally regenerate once they are damaged. This lack of cellular flexibility is why conditions like glaucoma often lead to permanent vision loss.