By Young By Choice™ Editorial Team | June 10, 2025
Cambridge-based longevity biotech clock.bio has unveiled a groundbreaking Atlas of Rejuvenation Factors, identifying over 100 genes critical to cellular self-repair and aging reversal 4 5 9. This milestone, backed by $5.3 million in seed funding, leverages CRISPR and single-cell RNA sequencing to map the molecular pathways that enable stem cells to “reset” aging damage—a discovery poised to transform regenerative medicine4 7 10.
The Breakthrough: Decoding Stem Cells’ Self-Repair Mechanism
Human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) uniquely retain the ability to reverse aging hallmarks like DNA damage and mitochondrial dysfunction 6 10. clock.bio’s proprietary model forces these cells to age artificially, triggering their innate rejuvenation programs. By analyzing 3 million cells and 20 terabytes of genomic data, the team pinpointed 100+ genes that orchestrate this repair process 5 8 9.
Key findings:
CRISPR screens revealed causal relationships between genes and rejuvenation, bypassing correlation-based limitations of traditional aging research 9 10.
The atlas includes targets for senescence reversal, protein homeostasis, and epigenetic reprogramming 4 6.
23% of identified genes have existing FDA-approved drug candidates, enabling near-term repurposing opportunities 5 9.
Why This Matters for Longevity
clock.bio’s approach addresses two major challenges in aging research:
Complexity: Human aging involves interconnected biological systems, making single-target therapies ineffective 6 9.
Translation: Most aging models fail to replicate human cellular environments 1 0.
Implications:
Multi-pathway therapies: Combining gene targets could simultaneously address inflammation, metabolic dysfunction, and tissue degeneration 4 9.
Precision rejuvenation: The atlas provides a roadmap for developing treatments tailored to individual genetic profiles 5 8.
Disease-specific applications: Early targets include Alzheimer’s, cardiovascular disease, and sarcopenia 7 9.
Next Steps: From Lab to Clinic
clock.bio is now validating these targets in somatic cells and partnering with pharmaceutical companies to accelerate clinical translation 5 7. Priorities include:
| Phase | Focus | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Validation | Confirm gene effects in tissues | 2025–2026 |
| Drug Repurposing | Screen existing compounds | 2026–2027 |
| Gene Therapy | Develop CRISPR-based treatments | 2028 onward |
CEO Markus Gstöttner notes: “Our atlas isn’t just a list of genes—it’s a blueprint for recalibrating the aging process itself” 8 9.
Actionable Takeaways
Monitor clinical trials for drugs targeting mTOR, sirtuins, and NAD+ pathways—early candidates for repurposing9.
Support cellular health through circadian alignment and senolytic compounds to synergize with future therapies 6 10.
Engage with longevity communities to track translation of clock.bio’s findings into accessible treatments 5 7.
