In a couple of centuries we will have to consider living on another planet''.

Javier Novo. PHOTO: Manuel Castells

"In a couple of centuries we will have to seriously consider the need to inhabit another planet, something that will be achieved when we replicate the conditions that make life possible, and that we still do not know in detail". This is one of the thesis defended by Javier Novo, professor of Genetics and science popularizer of the School of Sciences of the University of Navarra, in his new book 'Genes, microbes and cells', published by publishing house RBA.

The book, aimed at "all science enthusiasts and curious and restless spirits in general", reviews in seven chapters some of the most recent scientific advances in fields such as induced stem cells and their therapeutic applications, human evolution or the deciphering of the human genome. It also explains how the knowledge of the DNA of viruses, bacteria and parasites can help them stop being our enemies and become our friends.

Another of the major issues he addresses is man's dream, "increasingly real", of prolonging life "by overcoming disease and aging". In this sense, the expert in Genetics assures that at the end of the 21st century "the human being could be born with a life expectancy of 300 years. This is a long way from immortality, but it will still require a social organization that is totally different from the present one".

Nanotechnology: a revolution in everyday life
In Javier Novo's opinion, the scientific advance that will most revolutionize our daily lives will be Nanotechnology, "which will involve the appearance of a wide variety of biomedical devices - or in other words, tiny gadgets that will be implanted in our bodies - to facilitate the functioning of the organism, release drugs in a controlled manner, etc.".

Regarding the scientific progress that will mark the 21st century, Novo opts for the ability to modify DNA to correct the genetic defects that each person has in his or her genome. Related to this field, the expert -author of the knowledge dissemination blog "A Ciencia Cierta"- assures that in recent years cell reprogramming has been one of the most influential findings, "since it makes it possible to transform a specialized cell into a pluripotential cell, similar to that of an embryo. And the most incredible thing is that this is achieved through a simple maneuver that activates a few genes, when only five years ago it was claimed that all this would be impossible".

Regarding the most unexpected recent scientific breakthrough, the professor of the University of Navarra opts, once again, for DNA: "Until recently we were unaware that our genome is full of small genes whose function is to silence others, and that this process is fundamental in diseases such as cancer and in the embryonic development itself".

The prologue of the book is at position by Francisco J. Ayala, the author of "Darwin and the Intelligent design " and one of the world's foremost experts on evolution.