JELLYFISH AGE BACKWARDS

Sub-titled 'Nature's Secrets to Longevity' molecular biologist Brendborg provides a hugely enjoyable whistle-stop tour of the science of ageing from far flung places to cutting-edge research labs. From the backwards-ageing jellyfish to the woman who successfully edited her own DNA, he follows the thread of every experiment, story and myth in search of immortality. With mind-bending discoveries and psychological gifts that feel closer to magic than reality, the book will make us marvel at the possibilities held by scientific discovery, and most of all at nature. We meet the fighting naked mole-rats who are much better than their close relatives mice at surviving stressors such as DNA-damaging chemicals, heavy metals or extreme heat. Chapters include The Secrets of Easter Island, Zombie Cells and How to Get Rid of Them, Winding the Biological Clock, Microbe Struggles and Immune Rejuvenation, Flossing for Longevity, Starving for Fun and Medieval Monks to Modern Science. Judicious and refreshingly clear, 270pp, paperback.