Forget face-lifts and Botox promising new research that targets our longevity genes may hold the key to keeping old age at bay.

Researchers at the University of Washington have already found 25 genes that regulate lifespan in two organisms separated by 1.5 billion years of evolution. The researchers are hopeful that at least 15 of these genes may be similar to genes in humans and that by altering their activity, the ageing process may be slowed down. The scientists also hope that if successful, targeting the genes may also help slow-down or cure several age related illnesses.

Yeast and the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans were studied by the scientists both are commonly used in laboratories across the world. The researchers claim the findings are significant because the two organisms are so far apart on the evolutionary scale, more so than the difference between humans and C. elegans.