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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.

On the slide in front of them were the results of Lu’s latest attempt to turn back time for ageing retinal nerve cells. If it worked, the method he was using could help to restore eyesight to older adults with glaucoma, an age-related condition that damages the optic nerve. And perhaps some day it could be used to rejuvenate organs such as the kidneys or liver — maybe even the brain.

Longevity is in the genes: half of lifespan is heritable

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