“There are some positive results”
Dr. Brouchkov began his research with the Bacillus F bacterium more than a decade ago but is moving “step by step” due to a lack of staff, equipment, and funding. Infobae España speaks with him about his project.
The human species has spent centuries—at least—trying to overcome death. From the alchemical philosopher’s stone—about which Isaac Newton himself wrote in documents later published by the BBC—to Bryan Johnson injecting himself with his son’s blood plasma. Whether it is pure fear of death, the paradigmatic example of the unknown (since few things, if any, are as unfathomable), or love for the “self,” which, by all indications, ends upon dying.
About a decade ago, Dr. Anatoli Brouchkov suddenly caught the world’s attention. The Russian geologist, head of the Department of Geocryology at Moscow State University, appeared in numerous media outlets—from Vice and The New York Times to El Confidencial and The Daily Star—and for good reason. The scientist had crossed a line in his effort to discover the key to human longevity: he began to experiment on himself by injecting an ancient bacterium extracted from the permafrost of Yakutia, a region in central Siberia. Before self-inoculating, several experiments had already yielded promising results: treatment with this bacterium in elderly mice allowed them to retain their reproductive abilities well beyond normal ages; it also increased the lifespan of fruit flies and boosted the vitality of plants exposed to Bacillus F.
This is, of course, no coincidence. This bacterium, Bacillus F, has a unique characteristic: it somehow remained alive for millions of years—at least 3.5 million—without degrading or losing its properties. Nor life itself, which is even more astonishing. According to research, the secret of the bacterium’s longevity lies in some mechanism that prevents DNA-RNA degradation—one of the main causes of aging and eventual death in all living beings.
“It’s obvious that the bacterium has that mechanism. It’s obvious because we know its age. It’s very ancient and it doesn’t die. So, it has some kind of protection mechanism. I don’t think it’s a hypothesis anymore—it becomes a fact simply because the bacterium exists,” he explains. “We don’t know what it is, but it definitely has one. Otherwise, the bacterium would be dead. But after millions or thousands of years, it doesn’t die. This means it has some protection—and a very effective one. (…) It’s probably an efficient DNA repair mechanism.”
These “immortal” bacteria specimens were found in several samples of Siberian permafrost, as well as in amber and salts. According to Anatoli, the bacteria seep through soil and water, coming into contact with the external world and surface. “The permafrost melts. It degrades. And this bacterium gets into the environment, into the soil, into the water constantly—and has for centuries,” he explains. “There is a region, the area of ancient permafrost where this happens, that is populated. It’s a place where people live. And interestingly, in Siberia, that specific region in central Siberia where the ancient permafrost is found is known for the longevity of its inhabitants.”
Supposedly, “people there live longer than average. Many are over 100 years old. Yet that area has extremely harsh conditions—climatic, environmental, and so on. Life is very tough there. But still, people live longer. They live longer than in Florida, or, I don’t know, southern Europe, where life is much more comfortable.”
This was the first sign for Anatoli that injecting himself with this bacterium posed no risk. If it were harmful or dangerous, the local human and animal populations would show evidence of disease—but they show the opposite. According to the cryogeologist, this bacterium could potentially extend human life—not merely to 100 or 200 years, but, he claims, could make the human species practically immortal. It would only be necessary to replicate the genetic material preservation mechanism used by Bacillus F. The problem: he is certain it exists, but does not yet know what it is. However, he adds that it must be protein-based and that “it could truly extend your life, because if that mechanism is based on proteins, they would only need to be transferred into your body and start working.”
“Our cells and theirs are similar. I mean, the chemistry is similar—there’s no big difference. And the aging process is also similar at the biochemical level. DNA breakage and damage cause aging, and that’s true for every living cell,” he explains. He also asserts, “I’m quite sure that if we discover how the bacterium prevents DNA degradation, we could do the same for ourselves. I’m sure of that. The only thing we don’t know is what the mechanism is—or how to use it.”
The results of human experimentation:
The scientist claims that although he is cautious about whom he allows to participate, several individuals have now tried injecting themselves with the bacterium. “I’ve repeated it several times myself, and so have some friends. Nowadays, about 20 people are trying to use it. Some use it only once, while others use it more or less regularly. And, well, there are some positive results, but there is no proof that it can significantly extend lifespan.”
“We did blood tests before and after the experiments (…) and, in short, there’s an increase in physical activity, muscle strength, and a visible rise in testosterone levels, among other blood parameters. (…) There are about 20 people we’ve experimented with who showed these positive effects. But my goal is to extend human life—not just by, say, 50%, you know? But tenfold or a hundredfold,” though he’s not entirely sure it’s possible. Nonetheless, he adds that he has already registered a patent for a “bacterial extract as a dietary supplement” in some countries.
Dr. Brouchkov maintains, “I think I know how to discover the mechanism, how to identify it (…) but such research is, let’s say, lengthy. It will probably take years,” yet he lacks funding, equipment, and staff. “It’s hard to find, nowadays, a lab that’s fully equipped with enough specialists. I’d need three or four qualified microbiologists, molecular biologists, and all the materials. And I’d need a couple of years to do it.” For now, “I’m going step by step. They’re still steps, but they could be larger.”
In conclusion, Anatoli says, “I’m not looking for fame, awards, or anything like that. I just think it’s a way for people to live longer, which would be great. (…) I believe people can free themselves from death. Because right now, no one is. You know, death is inevitable, isn’t it?”
Federico Sáenz Martínez is a journalist and writer who collaborates with media outlets such as Infobae, where he publishes articles on current affairs, labor law, and social issues. His work combines informative analysis and outreach, clearly addressing legal and social matters relevant to the general public. He stands out for his direct style and his interest in explaining complex topics related to the world of work and contemporary legislation in an accessible way.
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