Deep within your bone marrow, a specialized set of stem cells is busy pumping out new blood cells to sustain your body. As we age, these hematopoietic stem cells (or HSCs) become less productive, affecting our immune system and increasing our risk of conditions like anemia and cancer.

Now, scientists have found a way to rewind the clock in aging HSCs, which could potentially help to treat age-related blood and immune deficiencies.

Like most of our cells, HSCs contain tiny compartments known as lysosomes. These are the cells’ recycling centers, where complex molecules like proteins and lipids are sent to be broken down into smaller, reusable parts.