Category Archives: Uncategorized

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

This blog entry is a companion and sequel to the previous one Neurogenesis, curcumin and longevity.  I focus here on the extensive research related to the anti-cancer properties of curcumin and go further into an issue raised in the last … Continue reading →

I have discussed both neurogenesis and curcumin in my treatise and in numerous blog entries but have never examined their relationship.  This blog entry is about the actions of curcumin in promoting neurogenesis in the hippocampus and highly-likely mental-health implications … Continue reading →

You can probably expect to hear a lot about PGC-1-alpha as time goes on because this remarkable substance is turning out to have a lot to do with health and longevity.  It appears to be the mediator of the health … Continue reading →

I have covered much of the “low hanging fruit” of the longevity sciences in the 304 existing blog entries written over the last two years.  Yet, developing a comprehensive understanding of the key aspects of aging requires harvesting fruit from … Continue reading →