Will scientists discover the key to eternal youth? A major breakthrough may just have brought it a step closer to reality...

By CLAIRE ELLIOT, SCOTTISH GENERAL NEWS REPORTER Published: 21:33, 30 June 2026 | Updated: 21:33, 30 June 2026 For generations, scientists across the globe have been searching for the key to eternal youth. And while the answers remain elusive, Scots researchers have now found a way of combatting the ageing process – after discovering a rare genetic condition which causes people to age at a much faster rate. The discovery showed for the first time how a DNA ‘biological clock’ present in every cell in the body could contribute to age-related disease. It has given scientists ‘fresh insights’ in the ageing process and could support the development of medicines to counter diseases linked to ageing. Professor Joris Veltman, Director of the Institute of Genetics and Cancer at the University of Edinburgh, said: ‘By studying a rare disease in depth, our colleagues have gained new insight into the biology of human ageing.’ The study, involving an international team of 76 researchers led by the Scottish university, uncovered the new accelerated ageing syndrome, Heyn-Sproul-Jackson syndrome (HESJAS), resulting in earlier onset of health issues and tissue changes related to age. Scottish researchers have now found a way of combatting the ageing process Researchers explained that marks on DNA, known as DNA methylation – effectively a biological clock – build up over time and can be used to accurately measure a person’s age. In those with HESJAS, the methylation marks occur at the same locations on DNA as in normal ageing but at a much quicker rate. As a result, health issues and tissue changes linked to old age, including decreased blood cell productions that can increase susceptibility to infections, as well as osteoporosis and hair loss, were displaying signs of the changes much earlier. The team say further studies are now planned. Professor Andrew Jackson, study lead from the university’s Institute of Genetics and Cancer, said: ‘It has been exciting to be able to discover a rare human genetic disorder that helps us understand this clock’s role for all our long-term health in old-age.’ The study is published in the journal Nature Genetics. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.