Lifeboat Foundation

Researchers at the Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB) in Mainz, Germany, have made a breakthrough in understanding the origin of the ageing process. They have identified that genes belonging to a process called autophagy — one of the cells most critical survival processes — promote health and fitness in young worms but drive the process of ageing later in life. This research published in the journal Genes & Development gives some of the first clear evidence for how the ageing process arises as a quirk of evolution. These findings may also have broader implications for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s disease where autophagy is implicated. The researchers show that by promoting longevity through shutting down autophagy in old worms there is a strong improvement in neuronal and subsequent whole body health.

Getting old, it’s something that happens to everyone and nearly every species on this planet, but the question is, should it? In a recent publication in the journal Genes & Development titled “Neuronal inhibition of the autophagy nucleation complex extends lifespan in post-reproductive C. elegans,” the laboratory of Dr Holger Richly at IMB, has found some of the first genetic evidence that may put this question to rest.

As Charles Darwin explained, natural selection results in the fittest individuals for a given environment surviving to breed and pass on their genes to the next generation. The more fruitful a trait is at promoting reproductive success, the stronger the selection for that trait will be. In theory, this should give rise to individuals with traits which prevent ageing as their genes could be passed on nearly continuously. Thus, despite the obvious facts to the contrary, from the point of evolution ageing should never have happened. This evolutionary contradiction has been debated and theorised on since the 1800s. It was only in 1953 with his hypothesis of antagonistic pleiotropy (AP) that George C. Williams gave us a rational explanation for how ageing can arise in a population through evolution. Williams proposed that natural selection enriches genes promoting reproductive success but consequently ignores their negative effects on longevity.

Continue reading “Why we did not evolve to live forever: Unveiling the mystery of why we age” »

We are delighted to announce that the AgeMeter project has reached its initial funding goal and development of the device can now begin thanks to the support of the community. As a result, we will soon have a great aging biomarker system available to the healthcare professional and home enthusiast alike.

We would like to thank Longecity for running a matching fund and for making a big contribution to the project by purchasing an AgeMeter for their affiliate labs program. This means that their affiliated researchers will have access to an AgeMeter for their aging research in the near future and is another great example of how we as a community are helping support scientists working on the front lines.

So far two Longecity affiliates have already expressed an interest in using the AgeMeter:

Scientists at Tufts University were able to graft eyes to the tails of blind Xenopus, giving the tadpoles the ability to detect colors, focus on objects, and consistently follow patterns.

In a breakthrough for regenerative medicine, researchers have developed working eyes attached to the tails of blind Xenopus tadpoles. The tadpoles were able to process visual information from their environment upon the augmentation, helping scientist understand the process of promoting innervation (a part of the body’s nerve supply) in regenerative medicine.

Continue reading “Scientists Grafted Eyes Onto a Blind Organism’s Back, and It Could See” »

Cover Photo: Getty Images.

Imagine that human aging is governed by an internal biological clock, controlled by specific genes. If scientists could identify the specific genes that control the clock, they could develop drugs therapy that stops aging in its tracks. Perhaps even reverse it.

A new article recently out discussing issues of #transhumanism:

Hello reader, are you trans? Transhuman, that is.

Probably not, but one day you might be – or, failing that, your kids or grandkids. In what is very much a ‘guest’ piece for the American Conservative, Zoltan Istvan – the Libertarian candidate for Governor of California – explains his transhumanist vision:

Continue reading “There’s no need to fear a robot taking your job – not if you become one yourself” »

A super-short and to-the-point introduction to Rejuvenaction, ageing, and rejuvenation which I wrote on l4t.

You might have noticed I have sometimes mentioned ‘Rejuvenaction’ in passing in other posts on l4t, but never really went too much into detail as to what Rejuvenaction even is. I was hoping to trigger curiosity in the few readers l4t has had thus far (this is what I get for posting once in a blue moon), but I think it is high time to formally introduce l4t’s older brother.

Simply put, Rejuvenaction is an advocacy blog meant to spread awareness about the problem of human ageing and what could be done to bring about the end of this problem within a few decades.

Continue reading “Tempus fugit” »

Could an experimental anti-aging cocktail of #rapamycin and #metformin and other drugs extend life? A Chicago physician is treating patients with an untested anti-aging drug regimen. This article details which medications the doctor prescribes and why he prescribes them.

A doctor prescribes anti-aging cocktail of rapamycin, metformin, and other drugs. This article explains the components of the cocktail.

Update on google’s secretive calico labs.

Google’s #Calico #Labs startup has been cloaked in secrecy, until recently. Calico Labs is using #AI and #MachineLearning to defeat aging. Using a new AI-based machine, they decoded a human genome from scratch — without looking at the official genome map.

Google’s biotech startup Calico Labs is hoping to outsmart death and has been cloaked in secrecy, until recently. That is, until this report.

Researchers announced yesterday that they discovered a #genetic #brain #aging #clock that controls how our brains age. The clock controls brain aging according to a precise timetable. This discovery holds promise that scientists can prevent brain aging by stopping the clock.

Summary: Researchers announced yesterday that they discovered a genetic brain aging clock that controls how our brains age. The clock controls aging in our brains according to a precise timetable. This discovery holds promise that scientists can prevent brain aging by stopping the clock.

Imagine keeping your mind sharp as a teenager’s while you grow older, even into your twilight years.

Continue reading “Researchers Discover Key to Brain Aging” »