Budget cuts as Panama scientist recognized for age and health study

AN AGING AND health  study headed by a Panamanian genetic scientist seeking to aid healthier longevity,  has gained recognition d in a prestigious  international scientific journal.

It comes at a time when the head of Panama’s Institute for Scientific Research and High Technology Services (INDICASAT)  Dr Jorge Motta  has publicly complained of the government’s lack of  interest in investing in scientific research as it is not a big vote winner  during election campaigns.

But the work of Panama genetic scientist,  Yila De La Guardia  affects us all as it is related to aging and the  search for a healthier  old age    which  could be resting on genetics the branch of biology that studies how biological inheritance is transmitted from generation to generation.

Dr De  La Guardia  said that today the scientific community strives to study various diseases thanks to the rise of personalized medicine- that treating  patients with the right drug and doses based on their genetic profile in order to obtain the best clinical results and avoiding  side effects and toxicity the

Although there is no single accepted definition of “aging” a doctorate in genetics of aging helps the scientist understand that it is nothing more than a series of progressive changes that cause a negative impact to the body.

“The cells have the ability to fix damage and maintain their functions, but for some unknown reason is lost as we age.”

Dr De La Guardia  conducted research for three and a half years using animal model worm species C. elegans, in the Institute of Healthy Ageing at University College London which constituted her doctoral thesis. Her studies were made under the guidance of Professor David Gems (aging expert in C. elegans).

On Friday May 6, she received an email confirming that her study,  in which she was the principal investigator, was accepted for publication in the scientific journal ‘Oncotarget’.

Rather than reaching human longevity, what is most important is to win “health time, and for  people remain  healthier longeras  world demographics are  changing By  2050 there will be more than 900 million people aged  60 or older living on the planet.

The increase of older adults will come with an increase in cases of chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, etc., to levels never before seen

“If scientists working on aging itself can slow the process that leads to all these diseases, they could attack these conditions at the same time.

“It is necessary to continue studying the  different diseases, but if we investigate aging itself  it can lower the incidence of all these diseases, so it is necessary to invest in the study of aging, ” Dr De La Guardia told  La Prensa

Since January, she has been part of the INDICASAT research team seeking funds for research in the country with this animal model, in order to find potential drugs.

“I want to bring this model to Panama and use it to test a range of natural and synthetic compounds to find new treatments with anti-aging potential.”

The budget for research and development in the country has decreased since 2014 and for 2017 will have a negative impact on education programs, incentives to small businesses and the development of science and technology in Panama, says Dr. De La Guardia.