X-Message-Number: 22665
Date: Fri, 10 Oct 2003 17:00:44 -0400
From: "Henry R. Hirsch" <>
Subject: Reversal of cellular senescence

					October 10, 2003

	At an aging symposium held at the University of Kentucky yesterday, Dr. 
Judith Campisi, Senior Scientist at the Lawrence Berkeley National 
Laboratory, reported that cellular senescence can be reversed in normal 
human diploid cells in culture with the use of the protein p16. Cellular 
senescence is the cessation of cell division and ordinarily occurs at the 
"Hayflick limit" of approximately 50 population doublings. Previously, 
release from senescence, i.e. resumption of culture growth, had been 
possible only under regimens in which the cells displayed chromosome 
abnormalities.

	The results obtained in Dr. Campisi's laboratory constitute great progress 
toward the goal of reversing senescence. I asked her whether, within the 
next 50 years, it would be possible, based on her techniques, to reverse 
aging in a large multicellular organism. She said that was not likely but 
that reversal might be doable in an organ system, such as the 
cardiovascular system. We agreed that, ten years ago, we would have 
considered this impossible.

	In evaluating Dr. Campisi's positive remark, we should bear in mind (1) 
that she is talking about an extrapolation of today's biochemistry, not 
yet-to-be invented nanotechnology, and (2) that she is a world-renowned 
expert in cellular senescence. Cryonics would be of limited value if aging 
reversal were not part of the package, so hang in there folks. We have good 
reason to hope.

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