A Look at One of the Palo Alto Longevity Prize Competitors

The Palo Alto Longevity Prize launched back in 2014, one of a number of research prizes created over the past decade aimed at encouraging greater progress in the application of aging research. This popular press article takes a look at one of the competitors, but note it is garbling the science in a few places. In particular the line on quadrupling mouse life span is probably a reference to a study on a mouse model of multiple sclerosis or similar work on short-lived lineages where any intervention will greatly extend remaining life span by partially fixing the problem that is killing the mice at a young age. Certainly no-one has yet quadrupled remaining life span in normal aged mice - that would be an event echoed around the world.

Researchers say a drug that blocks a protein produced by aging cells in your body could control how fast you grow older. They were contacted by the Palo Alto Longevity Prize to compete against teams from all over the world for $1 million. The protein, known as plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, or PAI-1, normally helps control the body's clot-dissolving system. The scientists believe controlling the protein is a way to prolong life. "The biology of aging is becoming more evident every day that goes by. We're understanding that there are specific changes about cells and tissues as they age, and that there are markers that aging cells make and it's possible to identify those molecules and theoretically slow down the aging process."

The interest surrounding longevity research has grown in recent years, especially after Google announced Calico, a longevity research and development company, in 2013. AbbVie, a pharmaceutical and research company, teamed up with Calico in 2014 to understand the biology that controls life span and ultimately accelerate the availability of new therapies for age-related diseases. In the Palo Alto competition, teams can enter one or both of two categories. The $500,000 Homeostatic Capacity Prize is given to the team that can turn back the clock in a mammal. The second is the $500,000 Longevity Demonstration Prize, which is given to the team that can extend the life span of a mammal by 50 percent. Although the deadline for registration was Dec. 31, the competition will not end until 2019 because different therapies have to be tested. Nearly 30 teams are competing with various approaches like hormone therapy and gene modification.

"I think this competition puts a spotlight on aging, and the fact that this science is advancing very rapidly. We're excited to participate because we think we can make a contribution to the understanding of the aging process in mammals. Almost any disease you can think of is highly dependent upon age." Aging more slowly is especially beneficial to people who have chronic diseases that make their cardiovascular health older than it should be. "Aging is the most important risk factor of heart disease, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. We all want to have a longer, healthier life span. I don't think people want to live a long time and be infirm, but if you can maintain your vitality and function, I think that's a pretty desirable goal."

Link: http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-longevity-research-prize-northwestern-1126-biz-20160125-story.html

Comments

The article is paywalled but here's a workaround: http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:dWl2CqJNPgcJ:www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-longevity-research-prize-northwestern-1126-biz-20160125-story.html+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

And a quote: '"I think the public would be surprised at how much is going on in science in general and specifically in this area," Powers said.'
I guess there's indeed more activity than the public thinks happens, but the devil being in the details, there's no word about the competing approaches and funding disparities.

Posted by: Nico at January 26th, 2016 4:07 PM
Comment Submission

Post a comment; thoughtful, considered opinions are valued. New comments can be edited for a few minutes following submission. Comments incorporating ad hominem attacks, advertising, and other forms of inappropriate behavior are likely to be deleted.

Note that there is a comment feed for those who like to keep up with conversations.