Dr João Pedro de Magalhães, from the University of Liverpool’s Institute of Integrative Biology, has taken part in TEDx, a programme of public events designed to help communities discuss and share ideas on a variety of topics.
Dr Magalhaes discussed what scientists understand about the genetic, cellular, and molecular mechanisms of ageing. He shared his research and addressed questions such as, can human biology be manipulated to slow the ageing process down?
Here are his ‘takeaway’ thoughts on an ageing society:
Dr Magalhaes (@jpsenescence):
“Genes regulate aging. We can already extend lifespan 10 fold in animal models by gene manipulations and human centenarians own their longevity mostly to genes.”
“Some animals, such as whales, can live much longer than humans and some species, like the Galapagos tortoise, don’t even seem to age at all.”
“By learning the secrets of long-lived people and of long-lived animals, human aging can potentially be controlled.”
Watch Dr Magalhaes’ TEDx take here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrLgYhtoBXA
