 The secret to defying the relentless march of age-related damage could be closer than we think concealed within the very building blocks of life. The dream protein complex is like a cellular command center that governs the way our cells manage DNA damage, which has a direct impact on aging and the development of age-related diseases. A study shows that inhibiting the dream complex enhances the DNA repair capacity of somatic cells in worms, mice, and human cells. Dream represses DNA repair genes in somatic cells and by inhibiting the dream complex, the cells became more resistant to ionizing radiation and the effects of cancer drugs. While the models used in this research may not perfectly replicate human aging, the findings offer valuable insights into the potential of reversing age-related damage accumulation by manipulating certain genes. To learn more about this topic and more, check out lifespan.io.