Partial Cellular Reprogramming: Epigenetic Age Reversal

This simulator explores one specific, real mechanism behind the pursuit of biological immortality: transient expression of the OSKM Yamanaka factors (Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, c-Myc) to partially reprogram cells and reverse their epigenetic age without erasing their specialised identity. A population of 3D cells each tracks its own epigenetic age and a differentiation/identity index; delivering a reprogramming pulse drives age down and identity down together, and how far identity falls depends on dose × duration. Keep the pulse short and identity recovers after the factors switch off — the cell comes out younger but unchanged in function. Push dose and duration too far and cells cross a point of no return, permanently losing their differentiated identity and entering the dedifferentiated, cancer-risk state that real partial-reprogramming protocols are carefully tuned to avoid.