The naked mole rat lives mainly underground, so its nearly hairless body and small eyes are efficient in its habitat, but not for winning any beauty contests. Though many may describe these small mammals as ugly and weird-looking, scientists see them quite differently. Aside from their impressive communal interactions cleaning their colonies and taking care of young, they are also providing insight into human longevity.
Naked mole rats can live to be around 30 years old, which is much longer than its closest cousin and most other small mammals. The secret of its longevity may give scientists a glimpse into human aging processes. It seems that when the naked mole rat makes specific proteins needed to carry out life’s functions in the body, it does so with impressive accuracy. In all organisms, there are mechanisms to check proteins as they are being created to be sure the translation has happened accurately. Mistakes can lead to health problems down the road and they can leave cells with extraneous bits of proteins that can cause chaos in the inner-workings of a cell.
The naked mole rat’s efficient cellular checking process means that fewer mistakes are made. As a result, fewer incorrect pieces of protein get caught up in the process. This quality helps naked mole rats stay healthy and live longer.
In addition, the naked mole rat possesses certain molecules that make them more resistant to tumors. Cancer cells are generally recognized by the immune system and then destroyed before they can spread. As one ages, the ability of the body to contain and neutralize the cancer threat can decrease. Studying how the naked mole rat’s body diminishes the cancer threat can lead scientists to new insights regarding human cancer growth as well.
While the naked mole rat will not likely win any “cute and cuddly” contests, they may unlock the key to many of the cellular mechanisms that govern long term health and longevity in humans. Currently, researchers are trying to understand more of the mechanisms involved in the aging process.
The advancements in technology related to biochemistry and medicine has afforded researchers opportunities to see the inner-workings of a cell like never before. As a result of current advancements in technology and medicine, new career paths are available for professionals interested in combining technology with medical innovation.
References:
http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-mole-rat-longevity-20131001,0,6184646.story
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24082110
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/behindtheheadlines/news/2013-06-20-could-naked-mole-rats-gooey-skin-stop-cancer-
http://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/smallmammals/fact-nakedmolerat.cfm
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/naked-mole-rat/
