Forever Young: How long can humans live?

October 22, 2014

Introduction Imagine a future where you can take a pill that halts the aging process, and if your organs do wear down, they can be replaced like car parts; a future where you can expect to stay healthy well past your first century of life. Our lecture will explore these ideas by looking into how scientists are currently trying to turn back the clock on aging. First, we will describe current theories about why we age and how we can harness the body’s innate defenses to increase healthspan and lifespan. Next, we will discuss the process of organ regeneration and explore how studying the regenerative capabilities of other animals may allow us to regenerate our own organs. Finally, we will explore the possibility of generating functional human organs in a dish that can be readily transplanted into ailing patients. The topics covered in this lecture will shed light on the cutting-edge research that is pushing the limits of human longevity.

Speakers and Topics

Rejuvenation: The Science of Aging and Longevity Michael Schultz grew up in the Chicago area and received his Bachelor of Science degree from Washington University in St. Louis. He is currently a third year graduate student in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences program at Harvard University, working in the laboratory of David Sinclair, where he studies the molecular biology of aging with a focus on metabolism. In his free time, Mike enjoys biking and playing the piano.

Regeneration: Fixing the Broken Parts Tyler Huycke is a third year PhD student in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences program at Harvard. In the laboratory of Cliff Tabin, he studies how genes and physical forces control gut formation in the developing embryo. He is also interested in identifying the signals controlling mammalian digit tip regeneration. In his free time, Tyler enjoys snowboarding, producing music, and going to concerts. Replacement: Out With the Old, In With the New Ryoji Amamato is a fourth year graduate student in the Biologial and Biomedical Sciences program at Harvard University. In the lab of Dr. Paola Arlotta, he works on understanding the mechanism behind the process of brain regeneration in the axolotl, a salamander with remarkable regenerative capabilities. For the last 3 years, he has also served as a teaching fellow for an introductory stem cell course for Harvard undergraduates. While not working in the lab or teaching, he is often at the volleyball courts as the captain of the Harvard Men’s Club Volleyball Team.

*Join us for a tour of Tyler’s laboratory following the lecture*

Glossary of Important Terms

Aging: The decline in function of cells, tissues and organs over time.

Biomarkers: Measurable characteristics that give scientists and doctors information about the normal, aging, or diseased human body.

Median lifespan: When looking at a population, the time when 50% of the people (or organisms) have died.

Maximum lifespan or “longevity”: When looking at a population, the time when all of the people (or organisms) have died.

Growth factors and receptors: Growth factors are proteins outside of cells that interact with other proteins on the surface of the cell called “receptors” and send a signal to the cells to grow and divide.

Caloric restriction: A diet in which the number of calories ingested is significantly reduced without malnutrition.

Regeneration: The repair of a damaged body part through its regrowth.

Blastema: Cells at the tip of a limb wound that divide and turn into all types of cells needed to make the limb, such as skin, bone and muscle.

Pluripotent stem cells: A type of cell that has the potential to become any cell type in the body.

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells): A type of pluripotent stem cell made in the lab by taking cells from any person (such as skin cells) and adding factors that turn back the clock so they can now make any type of cell in the body.

Macular degeneration: A disease in which central vision is lost due to damage to the center of the retina.

Resources to learn more Signal to Noise article on rejuvenation, http://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/waves/2014/

young-blood-rejuvenation-groundbreaking-science-or-old-news/, learn more about GDF-11. Signal to Noise article on the first iPS cell transplant, http://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/waves/2014/a-

stem-cell-milestone-2/, learn more about the transplant to patient with macular degeneration. Signal to Noise special issue on stem cells, http://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash-special-edition-stem-cells/,

there is much more to learn about stem cells than we could cover tonight!

Upcoming SITN Events

Oct. 29, Fat vs. Sugar: The culture of American dieting Nov. 5, Fracking: How cheap energy is reshaping America’s environment

Nov. 10, Science by the Pint: A Weather Report from an Exoplanet

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