Researchers at University of Birmingham have cracked the code of a gene that helps us in fighting diseases and live longer.

According to a report by The Daily Express, scientists believe that now, with the find, making new drugs that will be capable in slowing down the process of ageing could definitely be a possibility.

Lead researcher, Dr. Robin May, said, “I think there is definite potential, within our lifetime, that we will be able to develop drugs to slow the ageing process based on this gene. Although stopping the ageing process may not happen, slowing it down is quite realistic”.

As a part of the research, scientists discovered that increased levels of the gene DAF-16 are directly linked with longevity of life in a person. DAF-16 was found to have a strong involvement in determining the average lifespan of worms, who were tested.

Dr. May, talking about the findings, stated that his team wanted to find out how normal course of ageing is being controlled by genes and effect that these genes have on traits, like immunity.

The details of the study can be found in the journal PLoS ONE.