DeepSummary
The podcast episode discusses the field of epigenetics and the Information Theory of Aging. Professor David Sinclair from Harvard Medical School explains that epigenetics involves the control systems that determine which genes are switched on or off, affecting the aging process. He describes his research on reversing aging by manipulating three genes (OSK) to reset the epigenome or 'operating system' of cells.
Sinclair shares his team's groundbreaking work in curing blindness in mice and monkeys by rejuvenating their eyes. He outlines plans for human trials next year to treat eye diseases like glaucoma. The discussion covers the potential for developing drugs and therapies to reverse aging in various tissues and extend the healthy human lifespan.
The conversation explores topics like epigenetic inheritance, the role of diet and lifestyle in aging, and the universal applicability of age reversal across species. Sinclair remains optimistic about the prospect of controlling and delaying aging within our lifetimes, though challenges in demonstrating extreme life extension in animal models remain.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Epigenetics involves control systems that regulate which genes are expressed, affecting processes like aging.
- Professor David Sinclair's 'Information Theory of Aging' views aging as the result of epigenetic dysregulation over time.
- Sinclair's team has demonstrated the ability to reverse aspects of aging and cure blindness in mice by manipulating three genes (OSK) that reset the epigenome.
- Human trials are planned in the next year to test this epigenetic reprogramming approach for treating eye diseases like glaucoma.
- While extremely extended lifespans have not yet been achieved in animal models, Sinclair believes therapies to delay aging and extend healthy lifespan in humans may be possible within our lifetimes.
- Diet, exercise, and avoiding factors like obesity and stress can help maintain healthy epigenetic patterns and delay aging processes.
- From an evolutionary perspective, aging emerges because once an organism reproduces, there is no longer selective pressure to maintain vigour indefinitely.
- Sinclair envisions future anti-aging therapies that can keep people youthful and highly functional even at advanced ages like 90 or 100 years old.
Top Episodes Quotes
- βWe actually published a paper a year ago in the journal Cell, which is a good journal, which was a 13-year study. It was 40-something authors, 13 years of work testing the Information Theory of Aging. And what we did was we disrupted the software of the cells in an animal, in a mouse. We scratched the CD, as I was calling it. And what we got was predictable, which was an old mouse. And in every aspect, it got old. And then we reversed aspect of its aging because we have the ability to reset the software now.β by David Sinclair
- βWell, aging happens largely because of a lack of natural selection. Okay, getting back to fundamentals, evolution works on species to allow you to reproduce and replace yourself. And as long as we live, at least in our history on the savannahs of Africa, living to 40 or 50 was sufficient to ensure the survival of the species. And beyond that, we became expendable.β by David Sinclair
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Episode Information
StarTalk Radio
Neil deGrasse Tyson
3/22/24
Is aging a disease that can be cured? Neil deGrasse Tyson and cohosts Chuck Nice and Gary OβReilly discover the field of epigenetics, the Information Theory of Aging, and curing blindness for mice with Professor of Genetics at Harvard Medical School, David Sinclair.
NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial-free here:Β
https://startalkmedia.com/show/is-aging-a-disease-epigenetics-with-david-sinclair/
Thanks to our Patrons Jason L, Daniel Holzmann, Anne P Vance, Unknown, Myles G Blanton, Paul A. Straus, and Gregory Dees for supporting us this week.