Washington, September 27 (QNA) – American scientists have discovered a way to track cells linked to aging-related diseases and their development, providing a non-invasive means of identifying and studying cells in the body that contribute to age-related disorders, such as cancer, tissue degeneration and inflammatory diseases.

According to researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), although these cells, known as senescent cells, stop dividing and growing, they, for some reason, do not die as would be expected of aging cells. Instead, they undergo substantial changes in their shape, metabolic processes and gene activity.

Experts noted that previous methods of studying these cells resulted in their destruction. But by using an analytical technique known as Raman microscopy, which reveals the biochemical composition of cells without damaging them, together with single-cell gene-expression analysis, researchers succeeded in identifying unique “barcodes” associated with senescent cells.

During the study, they conducted experiments on cells from laboratory mice and are currently working to adapt the method for use with human tissue.

Jeon Woong Kang of MIT, the study’s lead author, said it is conceivable that an internal endoscope could one day be developed to look inside the body and identify senescent cells.

 He added that aging isn’t just a pathological condition.

Although cellular senescence contributes to sagging skin and muscle weakness in older adults, it plays useful and critical roles in embryonic development and tissue regeneration.

The significance of this scientific discovery related to age-related diseases is that the recent study helps scientists pursue an all-encompassing approach to understanding aging and identifying senescent cells, as they play a role in a large number of normal physiological conditions and many pathological conditions. (QNA)