Biological Immortality WIP - First Steps

//File Archive:: Video Log Transcript -- DCBMaGAF.PrGF:001

Good morning! I'm Doctor Lorraine Reed, subsection research head, Division of Cosmetics, Body Modification, and Gender Affirming Care. This is officially Log #001 for project Golden Frigate.

You must forgive my excitement. In all honesty, this project has been an obsession of mine for some years now. Even after the hundreds of projects I've contributed to, I feel that this singular invention may be the breakthrough that defines my career.

Ah, apologies. First things first. Experiment summary.

Project Golden Frigate is a test of Serum G28, an anti-aging formula intended to restore youth and vitality to the user. The serum introduces a carefully selected cocktail of cellular augmentations adapted from so-called "biologically immortal" animal species. Specifically, the sample sources include the jellyfish Turritopsis dohrnii, the aquatic salamander Proteus anguinus, and multiple species of sea urchin and lobster.

All of these organisms have incredible abilities to lengthen and regenerate telomeres, the repetitive nucleotide sequences at the ends of our chromosomes. Telomeres protect our DNA from progressive degradation, and normally their gradual shortening is a significant factor in aging and eventual death. The decay of these structures represent a hard limit on cellular multiplication, and the rate at which they fail define a species natural lifespan.

This project proposes that by adapting the regenerative processes of these species, we can lengthen human lives or even eliminate the symptoms of aging altogether. By combining these augmentations with a mitosis stimulant, the serum can rapidly replace old cells with new ones to restore energy and youth to an aged subject. If this works the way I believe it will, we may be one step closer to true immortality!

I've volunteered as the first test subject for human trials. I know it's rather unorthodox, but I have the utmost confidence in my research thus far. That and, to be completely honest, I'm quite eager to experience the benefits all my hard work has promised. I've been lucky to be as healthy as I am in my older years, but there are quite a few things I miss about being young.

I’ll administer my first dose by dermal microinjection once I’ve finished these baseline measurements and assessments.

//File Archive:: Video Log Transcript -- DCBMaGAF.PrGF:002

My god… just look at me.

Ahem. Apologies.

It’s been 74 hours since my first dose of Serum G28. The initial results have surpassed even my wildest expectations.

My readings are indicating rejuvenated skin, enhanced muscle tone, and healthier storage of nutrients and body fat. But I hardly need the readings to tell you that, you can see it plainly. I’m gorgeous. My face looks like it did 50 years ago, and my body… Hell I don’t even remember my curves looking this good back then!

I can feel the difference too, like night and day. All my senses are so much clearer. Moving is so much easier, all my aches and pains have vanished. I had the urge to jog this morning, and finished 10 kilometers before I remembered I should be feeling fatigued. I’m floored.

So far the only unwelcome side effect has been a change to the appearance of my eyes. I have no idea where this comes from, but my sclerae have begun to darken while my irises have taken on a silvery mirror sheen. My best guess is that this is some unexpected interaction between the deep sea species genes, some recessive adaptation suited to the lightless depths of the ocean. Bright sources of illumination have become less comfortable for me, but my optical performance has improved in low-light environments.

It seems that the Facility is as intrigued by my rapid results as I am. They’ve assigned me a team of lab techs to assist in my experiment. I appreciate their help, of course, but I’m not entirely pleased with the quality of these assistants. They’re rather… green. Barely more than postgrad students, eager to please and excited to land their names on a published study.

Ah well. Experienced or no, I’ll whip them into shape soon enough.