Things to know

Here’s what’s going on in longevity.

1. Blueprint by Bryan Johnson
   If you’ve researched longevity for even a short amount of time, you’ve probably come across Bryan Johnson. In fact, he may even be the person who first introduced the concept to you. Blueprint is incredibly comprehensive (albeit n=1) study of the biomarkers of human aging. If you haven’t yet perused, it’s certainly worth a look.

2. AbbVie buys mitochondria biotech for $110m
   AbbVie has acquired Mitokinin, a biotech company that develops a therapy for Parkinson’s disease, for $110 million upfront and $545 million in potential milestone payments to existing shareholders. The deal follows a purchase agreement signed in 2021 after Mitokinin completed studies for its compound which aims to correct mitochondrial dysfunction and reduce inflammation (both hallmarks of aging) in the neurodegenerative disease.

3. GenAI Biotech Gero Raises $6M
   Gero, a biotech company that uses AI to study aging and chronic diseases, has raised $6M in a Series A extension round led by Melnichek Investments with participation from VitaDAO. Gero collaborates with Pfizer and other pharma companies to discover novel cures for age-related diseases by analyzing real-world human health data.

Research

A short review of some papers and reports, both recents and classics, related to aging.

1. The ATF6 stress response regulator
   The authors of this paper investigate the role of ATF6, a transcription factor¹, in stem cell differentiation. They show that ATF6 activation promotes the differentiation of stem cells into mesodermal cells - the middle layer of an embryo in early development. They suggest that manipulating ATF6 could be a useful strategy for generating mesodermal tissues from stem cells. When discussing cellular reprogramming as a method for reversing age in cells, the role of transcription factors such as ATF6 can be incredibly important.
   

2. DNA methylation-based biomarkers for determining cetacean age
   We’ve discussed biological clocks a number of times before and this paper presents a novel method for estimating the age of long-lived whales using a similar method. The authors use genomic DNA from skin samples collected by remote biopsy techniques from killer whales and bowhead whales, two of the longest-lived cetaceans. They validate four different epigenetic clocks with high accuracy and precision. Applications include whale conservation and management, as well as a comparative benchmark for human biomarkers.
   

3. Hepatocyte reprogramming in liver regeneration
   Liver regeneration is a remarkable process that involves the plasticity of hepatocytes, the main functional cells in the liver. Hepatocytes can undergo reprogramming, changing their identity and acquiring new properties, to cope with different forms of liver injury. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the mechanisms and implications of hepatocyte reprogramming for liver diseases and therapies.

Get involved

A breakdown of the latest jobs at companies in or around the longevity space.

National Institute on Aging
The National Institute on Aging (NIA) is a branch of the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) that focuses on research on aging and age-related diseases. The NIA aims to understand the nature of aging and to extend the healthy, active years of people’s lives.

1. Director of the Division of Aging Biology
   Leadership — Bethesda, MD
   - Scientific and administrative leadership. Supervising staff, overseeing research programs, managing budget, and developing strategic goals

   - M.D. and/or Ph.D. in relevant discipline: extensive research experience in biology of aging

2. Program Analyst, Office of the Director, NIA Aging Research Biobank
   Operations — Bethesda, MD — $85k-$122k
   - Support scientific and administrative activities: literature searches, portfolio analyses, database development, biobank management, and new initiatives
   - Health-related degree and skills in analysis and communication

3. Bioinformatics and Cloud Computing Program Officer
   IT — Bethesda, MD — $107k-$155k
   - Cloud-based data sharing and bioinformatics/AI tools: manage and expand data resources and research portfolio
   - Plan and develop new initiatives, collaborate with other divisions, communicate NIA and NIH policy and research priorities, provide technical assistance