Telomerase-activating nutritional supplement for telomere protection and cellular longevity

Overview

This project focuses on developing a proprietary nutritional supplement blend that activates telomerase in human cells to slow telomere shortening and extend cellular proliferative capacity. Telomeres are protective caps at the ends of chromosomes that shorten with age and cell division, contributing to cellular aging and reduced immune function. Telomerase is the enzyme responsible for maintaining telomere length, and its activation has been associated with healthier aging, improved immune response, and sustained tissue function.

The research is grounded in extensive prior work demonstrating that exercise increases TERT gene expression, shifts alternative splicing of TERT toward telomerase-coding isoforms, boosts telomerase activity, and preserves telomere length in immune cells and muscle tissue. By combining compounds that mimic the molecular effects of exercise with known telomerase-activating nutrients, the proposed supplement aims to deliver exercise-like telomere protection in a consumable form. The project includes rigorous counter-screening in cancer cells to ensure compounds do not inadvertently promote tumor growth.

Technical specifications

Core technology:

• Proprietary blend of nutritional compounds that synergistically activate TERT gene expression and telomerase activity
• Built on validated exercise-mimetic mechanisms, including shifts in TERT alternative splicing toward functional, mitochondria-related isoforms discovered via long-read RNA sequencing

Validated experimental models:

• Human immune cells and human fibroblasts in tissue culture
• Human TERT transgenic mouse model with exercise treadmill protocols already validated
• Cancer cell lines for tumor growth counter-screening

Key measurement capabilities:

• Telomerase activity assays
• TERT gene expression analysis, including isoform-specific profiling
• Telomere length quantification
• Cell proliferation assessments

Anticipated outcomes:

• Increased telomerase activity in treated versus control cells
• Maintenance or extension of telomere length
• Enhanced proliferative capacity of immune and tissue cells
• Safety profile confirmed through cancer cell counter-screening

Technology readiness level

The underlying science is supported by published laboratory evidence showing that exercise activates TERT expression, modulates alternative splicing, increases telomerase activity, and preserves telomeres in both immune and muscle cells. The exercise-mimetic nutritional concept and individual telomerase-activating compounds have prior validation in the literature. The current stage involves formulation development and preclinical validation across human cell models and transgenic mice, with an anticipated timeline of one to two years. The team is actively seeking partnership support for compound procurement, reagents, telomere measurement supplies, healthy participant recruitment, immune cell isolation, and key personnel funding to advance toward a validated supplement prototype ready for further translational development.