Anti-Aging Serum

Creation
In 1890, Leonard and Herbert Friedman went on an expedition to Africa, to bring back Rare Plant species. While there, they would come across an interesting plant known as the Mortifillia. The Mortifillia, and it's spores seemingly had amazing Anti-Aging, and regenerative properties. After the Friedman twins discovered the Mortifillia, they began working on a serum that could somewhat stop the aging process. The Serum would be derived from the Spores of the plant, which seemed to hold these powerful abilities.

Struggles
After the Serum was thought to be completed, the two brothers tried numerous times to gain a research grant for their work, and even move on to Human trials. Unfortunately, due to Moral, and Spiritual Controversies, they were unable to receive any real recognition for their work. They were shunned by a lot of the Scientific community, and even thought people might try and interfere with their research.

A huge mistake
In desperation for their lack of Recognition, Leonard decides to experiment on himself, and injects himself with the Anti-Aging serum. Two months after he injected himself, it became obvious he had began mutating. Although they weren't sure what was causing it at the time, Leonard's exposure to the Sun had caused him to start showing symptoms similar to the Condition Xeroderma Pigmentosum. Leonard's skin was damaged by the sunlight, and when it healed, it appeared to become like Tree Bark. After a while, the two brothers realized it was the Sunlight which caused Leonard's mutation, and Leonard began avoiding sunlight, and even staying inside altogether, but the Damage had been done.