The average life expectancy in the UK could leap to 108 after scientists discovered a way to rejuvenate cells. A new study claims that reprogramming cells could help people live nearly a third longer while the blemishes of age such as wrinkled skin, grey hair and aches and pains banished. Although women tend to outlive men, the current average life expectancy in the UK is 81. Pioneering work by Salk Institute scientist in California discovered intermittent expression of genes normally associated with an embryonic state can reverse the hallmarks of old age. They found this prompted human skin cells in a petri dish to look and behave young again. And rejuvenated mice with a premature ageing disease had the signs of ageing contered while their lifespan increased by 30 per cent.