They key to youthful-looking skin may be found in sea cucumbers and sea urchins.
Genes encoding peptides that cause rapid stiffening or softening of collagen in the body wall of sea cucumbers has been discovered by looking at the DNA sequences of thousands of genes. Looking at how peptides can soften cells can lead to similar discoveries within human tissue.
The link between human and sea cucumber lies in the similarities between peptides, and the human hormone calcitonin.
Read more at University of London