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Scientists claim to have made a sensational breakthrough in their bid to develop an 'elixir of life' after discovering bacteria that survived 3.5 million years in Siberian permafrost.

The hope is that after unlocking the DNA of the bacteria they can further understand how it came to survive for so long in such harsh conditions.

Further tests could lead to developments that would improve the longevity of human life, scientists hope.

And so far all the signs are promising.

(Image: Will Stewart)

Russian scientists have carried out tests on human blood cells, mice, fruit flies and crops which have all shown a positive impact.

The bacteria was discovered six years ago by Dr Anatoli Brouchkov, head of the Geocryology Department of Moscow State University.

It was embedded in ancient permafrost at a site known as Mammoth Mountain in the Sakha Republic, the largest region in Siberia.

"We did a lot of experiments on mice and fruit flies and we saw the sustainable impact of our bacteria on their longevity and fertility," said Dr Brouchkov.

"But we do not know yet exactly how it works."

Dr Brouchkov added: "We want to understand the mechanisms of the protection of genome, the functioning of the genes.

"The key question is what provides the vitality of this bacteria, but it is as complicated as which human genes are responsible for cancer and how to cure it.

"The scale and complicity of the question are nearly the same."

(Image: Will Stewart)

He added the permafrost where the bacteria was found is estimated to be around 3.5 million years old.

"This bacteria was isolated from the outer world in ice, so we are quite sure that this bacteria was kept in the permafrost for such a long time.

"Yet we are still working to prove this.

"I would say, there exist [in the world] immortal bacteria, immortal beings. They cannot die, to more precise, they can protect themselves.

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"Our cells are unable to protect themselves from damage, These bacteria cells are able to protect themselves.

"It would be great to find the mechanisms of protection from ageing, from damage and to use them to fight with our ageing. It's is the main riddle of mankind and I believe we must work to solve it.

(Image: Will Stewart)

"Now we have a key, ancient bacteria, which scientists have found in an extreme and ancient environment."

Epidemiologist Dr Viktor Chernyavsky said: "The bacteria gives out biologically active substances throughout its life, which activates the immune status of experimental animals."

Calling it a "scientific sensation" he said "mice grannies not only began to dance, but also produced offspring".