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December 2002

No, we’re not talking about the Chicago Seven or Angela Davis. This is not a political slogan, but a term that is now heard throughout the media.

What is a “free radical” as it is used in scientific terms? It is basically a negatively charged electron (as all electrons are) that is not paired with a positively charged proton in a cell. Free radicals are a necessary part of all life because they are a by-product of the production of energy by the cell. Sunlight and many other external and internal sources also generate them. The problem comes when the cell’s natural defenses (predominantly glutathione) against the loose electron, or free radical, are not sufficient to neutralize harmful effects. If the free radical remains unpaired, it will attach to the cell’s DNA or membrane, causing damage.

Our scientists have amplified what is known concerning how the A-T gene functions in mammals to prevent free radical damage, which is probably the gene’s main function.

This information is especially significant because the most likely explanation of the symptoms of aging is free radical damage. By better understanding how the A-T gene works to prevent free radical damage, scientists will be better able to prevent diseases of aging. As a matter of fact, Bill Lynn and Wenan Qiang have just completed some experiments in this realm that promise to yield important news for the scientific world. Stay tuned.