In this video I will discuss some of the potential biological reasons why women live longer than men.
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Aging is a dynamic, non-linear process, but there is much hype around determining biomarkers for aging as this could help us understand what causes aging and assess the efficacy of anti-aging treatments.
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Cellular senescence is a fascinating process (which is why I chose a lab that researches it for my PhD), with both beneficial and detrimental consequences. A recent study shows a connection between melanocyte senescence and the induction of telomere dysfunction in nearby keratinocytes which is associated with epidermal atrophy. This increased with age. Using a senolytic in a human 3D culture model they were able to reduce this effect.
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I read another book. This time “Super Human; The Bulletproof Plan to age backwards and maybe even live for ever” by Dave Asprey, founder of Bulletproof Coffee. In this video I will discuss some of the key points and the book and my opinions.
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NAD+ levels decline as we age. There is some evidence from studies in model organisms that restoring NAD+ levels can increase lifespan/healthspan. One way to restore NAD+ levels is through NMN supplements, which is a precursor to NAD+. In this video, I will go into more detail regarding this and also look at why it could be beneficial and when are the potentially best times for NMN to be taken.
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A sizeable part of the human genome is comprised of non-coding DNA that harbors ancient viruses. One such virus, LINE-1, remains active to this day. Activation of LINE-1 in cells triggers antiviral defense mechanisms that produce chronic inflammation, a hallmark of aging. Since LINE-1 activity irreversibly damages DNA, cells have developed several strategies to suppress it. However, innate suppression mechanisms weaken with age, so one of our goals is to create therapies to help our body keep retroelements in check.
By developing drugs against retroelements, we aim to effectively silence their activity, preventing the DNA damage and inflammation associated with cancer and age-related diseases.
