Jena, May 22, 2026 – An international research team led by the Jenaer Leibniz-Institut für Alternsforschung (FLI) has decoded a biological mechanism that is significantly responsible for the aging of cells. The results show that the age-related loss of mitochondrial function can be rapidly reversed in model experiments through targeted nutrient intake.
- Topic: Causes of cellular aging and their potential reversibility
- Institute: Leibniz-Institut für Alternsforschung – Fritz-Lipmann-Institut (FLI) in Jena
- Research Lead: Dr. Maria Ermolaeva (First author: Tetiana Poliezhaieva)
- Central Active Ingredient: Phosphatidylcholine or its precursor choline
The Collapse of Cellular Powerhouses
Mitochondria, as so-called powerhouses, supply human cells with the necessary energy for movement, growth, and self-repair. In the course of the aging process, however, their performance continuously declines. The Jenaer scientists proved that the cause of this decay does not lie directly in the mitochondrial genes, but in the elasticity of their envelopes.
The membrane lipid phosphatidylcholine is responsible for this flexibility. It enables mitochondria to connect into complex networks and efficiently distribute metabolic products and energy within the cell. As age progresses, the body’s own production of this fat molecule drops drastically. As a result, the cellular power grid collapses: the mitochondria fragment and malfunction.
Regeneration through Targeted Nutrient Intake
The research group led by Dr. Maria Ermolaeva was able to show in laboratory experiments that this process is reversible. When aging roundworms (Caenorhabditis elegans) were fed phosphatidylcholine or the water-soluble precursor choline, the cell organelles regenerated within just two days. The mitochondria regained their youthful network structure and increased energy production back to an efficient level.
The study, which linked data from roundworms with experiments on human cell cultures and clinical databases, also reveals a clear chronological sequence of aging. According to this, cellular protection against stress fails first, before profound changes in metabolism and finally in the genetic material set in.
Background on the Jena Science Location
The Leibniz-Institut für Alternsforschung – Fritz-Lipmann-Institut (FLI) was founded in 1991 at the Beutenberg-Campus in Jena and is the first national institution dedicated to researching the aging process. Top-level biomedical research in the Lichtstadt Jena traditionally combines academic excellence with practical approaches to improving the healthy lifespan in old age.
Nutritional Note: Choline in Food
In nutritional medicine, choline is considered an essential micronutrient, important for fat metabolism and liver function, among other things. Natural sources with a high content of choline and phosphatidylcholine (lecithin) include egg yolks, beef liver, soybeans, wheat germ, and nuts.
Source:
Research from Jena: How cellular aging can be slowed down
Transparency Note: This article was automatically generated, editorially reviewed, and expanded with AI support.