Ask s Scientist [topic: age research] August 7, 2007

About the series: Ask a Scientist is an informative, entertaining, casual science lecture series, held at a San Francisco cafe. Each event features a speaker on a current topic, a short presentation, and the opportunity to ask all those burning questions that have been keeping you up at night. No tests, grades, or pressure…just food, drinks, socializing, and conversation about the universe’s most fascinating mysteries.

This Month's Topic: The Reality of Age Research

Understanding and dealing with disease associated with aging is arguably the greatest challenge for biomedicine in the 21st Century. In fact growing old is the single largest risk factor for human disease in developed countries. Unfortunately, we don't know much about the biological basis of aging — but a series of remarkable discoveries in simple animal models indicates that our understanding of the subject is beginning to change. For example, it is now commonplace to extend the lifespan of lab worms and flies by genetic or chemical interventions. (Do some of you remember Cynthia Kenyon's talk way back in August 2003?) These discoveries have far-reaching implications for how we think about human disease and may serve as the basis for the development of therapeutic interventions. Come learn about the latest in the new field of geroscience and talk about opportunities for living better, more productive lives.

Official Website: http://www.askascientistSF.com