Life Biosciences said it has treated the first participant in a gene therapy trial designed to partially reprogram aged cells by turning on three genes. The study targets glaucoma, aiming to support regeneration of optic nerve neurons that generally do not regrow in adults. The company positioned the eye as an initial site for proof-of-safety, given concerns in the longevity field that reprogramming could drive malignant transformation. The trial is focused on safety as proteins produced by the activated genes are intended to promote neuron recovery. The approach uses three of the four genes used in lab settings to shift adult cells toward a stem-like state, but aims to stop short of full loss of cellular identity. The first dose marks a key milestone for the partial-reprogramming platform moving into human disease testing.