Education Department April 2024 Updates
Read more about SRF Education programs highlights and upcoming events.
SRF
SENS Research Foundation and Lifespan.io Announce Intent to Merge, Forming a Novel Longevity Entity
In a groundbreaking announcement set to impact the future of longevity research and outreach, two historic longevity nonprofits —SENS Research Foundation and Lifespan.io (Lifespan Extension Advocacy Foundation)—have unveiled plans to merge, upon completion of regulatory approvals.
The Missing Link Between Senescence and Body-Wide Aging
The Problem Senescent, or old, cells drive diseases of aging in tissues far removed from where the damaged cells are located. It is assumed that these effects result from factors that senescent cells release (the “SASP”) being carried by the blood, but this hasn’t been proven in studies. If senescent cells don’t raise the level …
A Better Way to Create Rejuvenation Therapies
The Problem IPF is linked to the accumulation of senescent, or old, cells in the lung, creating scar tissue (fibrosis) which progressively stiffens them. This disables the patient, eventually suffocating them within 2-4 years. IPF creates a high burden of senescent cells in the lungs, and removing senescent cells powerfully impacts the disease. Previous drug …
Activated Macrophages: a New Player in Senescence-Driven Damage
The Problem The immune system has an ability to patrol for and destroy senescent, or aged cells, a function which deteriorates over time, permitting senescent cells to accumulate and drive age-related disease. The negative impacts from senescence may actually result from a joint attack by both senescent cells and activated macrophages – a type of …
Harnessing Existing Medication to Target and Destroy Senescent Cells
The Problem The immune system can patrol for and destroy senescent, or aged cells. Senescent cells are drivers of age-related disease and removing them helps remediate aged tissues. It was recently discovered that these cells have an unusually high metabolism. The Goal Reduce the metabolism in the senescent cells to see if doing so …
Boosting Natural Defenses: Modifying Immune Cells to Target Senescence
The Problem The immune system, including natural killer cells (NK cells), has an ability to patrol for and destroy senescent, or aged cells. However, this protective function deteriorates over time, permitting senescent cells to accumulate in our tissues and drive age-related disease. Drugs used to destroy senescent cells – senolytics – use a brute-force method …
Creation of Novel Mouse Lines to Test New Mitochondria Therapies
The Problem Aging creates an accumulation of mutations in the DNA of our mitochondria, the organelles that create our energy supply on a molecular level. This impacts and impairs their ability to function correctly and creates a myriad of energy issues as we age. Testing potential therapies for use in humans requires a robust testing …
Mitochondrial Makeover: Replacing Old Power Sources with New
The Problem Aging creates an accumulation of mutations in the DNA of our mitochondria, the organelles that create our energy supply on a molecular level. This impacts and impairs their ability to function correctly and creates a myriad of energy issues as we age. The Goal The team is creating a drive to implant new …
Restoring Cell Energy by Stopping the Spread of Damaged Mitochondria
The Problem Aging creates an accumulation of mutations in the DNA of our mitochondria, the organelles that create our energy supply on a molecular level. This impacts and impairs their ability to function correctly and creates a myriad of energy issues as we age. The most prevalent and dangerous types of mutations are the large …
