Monthly Archives: September 2010

If we can multiply lifespans of nematodes by seven, why have we not been able to get anywhere with significant human lifespan extension?

Back in a July 2009 blog post Life extension by a factor of 10, I described how radical life extension has been achieved in baker’s yeast.  The most-recent blog entry posted two days ago New extraordinary longevity lessons from the … Continue reading

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New extraordinary longevity lessons from the nematode

Genetic lifespan regulation has been studied extensively in the nematode roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans (C-elegans) since the 1980s.  Hundreds of research papers have been written on this topic.  And I have generated a number of blog entries on longevity pathways known … Continue reading

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Klotho, phosphates, cola drinks and longevity

The October 2009 blog entry Klotho anti-aging gene in the news describes how the Klotho protein exhibits anti-aging effects in mice when over-expressed and accelerates aging when under-expressed, Klotho’s role with respect to the vitamin D receptor (VDR),  and how … Continue reading

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Smurf2 in senescence, aging and diseases

Smurf2 is a fascinating gene and enzyme that plays a number of key roles throughout life in people, ranging from roles in embryonic development and stem cell differentiation to ones relating to cell senescence and accelerated (or delayed) aging.  It … Continue reading

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HSP70 to the rescue – But, no, no! That’s not what we want for cancer cells

The July 2010 blog entry HSP70 to the rescue describes how heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) works to promote survival of cells under stress and provides examples of the positive hormetic effects of this chaperone protein.  For example HSP70 is … Continue reading

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Valproic acid – The phoenix drug arises again

The chemical valproic acid has been around for a very long time.  It was first synthesized in 1882 and for a great many years it seemed to be not very useful. However, over its 128 year history valproic acid has … Continue reading

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Antagonistic pleiotropy revisited – for the last time

Most times when I meet old friends who I have not seen for a long time, the old magic comes back.  There is new vitality in our new context of relationship.  With certain other people met again after many years, … Continue reading

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