Invited Lectures on Aging and Longevity Studies

Invited Presentations
of Leonid and Natalia Gavrilov

This page describes our experience of giving invited scientific lectures in Canada, France, Australia, England, Germany, Japan, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, Russia, and of course in the United States -- including invited presentations at the National Institute on Aging (NIA, NIH), Harvard University, Buck Institute for Age Research, Columbia University, etc (see below).
If you are interested in our lectures, please contact us at: gavrilov(at)longevity-science.org. Thank you!

Forthcoming:
International Workshop on Human Longevity
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Malaysia, November 26-27, 2007
Invited speakers: Dr. Leonid Gavrilov, Ph.D., and Dr. Natalia Gavrilova, Ph.D.
See official announcement and brochure.
For further details, please contact:

Secretariat
Workshop on Human Longevity (WHL'07)
c/o School of Mathematical Sciences
Faculty of Science & Technology
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
43600 UKM Bangi
Selangor, Malaysia
Tel: +603-8921 5713 / 5714
Fax: +603-8925 4519
E-mail: icms07@gmail.com
seminarppsm@lycos.com

International Conference on Aging & Longevity Studies
"From Homo sapiens to Homo sapiens discatenatus"
August 27-28, 2007
Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
Vorobievy Hills, Laboratory Korpus B, room 221
(1) Dr. Leonid Gavrilov "Aging: Reliability theory and the concept of phenoptosis"
For Power-Point Presentation click here
(2) Dr. Natalia Gavrilova "Hibernation, Aging and Longevity"
For Power-Point Presentation click here

VI European Congress of the International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics
St. Petersburg, Russia, July 5 - 8, 2007
Hotel Pribaltiyskaya, Korablestroitelej street, 14.
"Demography of Ageing" Symposium
Saturday, July 7 at 9:00 am, Severny Hall
"Biodemographic Reliability Theory of Ageing and Longevity"
Leonid Gavrilov and Natalia Gavrilova
Click here for Power Point Presentation

Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
Division of Geriatric Medicine
Veteran's Memorial Building, Room 1613A
May 3, 2007 at 5:00pm
"Determinants of Exceptional Longevity"
Leonid Gavrilov and Natalia Gavrilova
Click here for Power Point Presentation.

Harvard University, Boston
Harvard School of Public Health
(1) Biodemography of Human Longevity: New Methodological Approaches
Click here for Power Point Presentation. Announcement.
(2) Biodemography of Human Longevity: New Findings and Ideas
Click here for Power Point Presentation. Announcement.
Thursday, April 26th, 4:00 - 5:30 pm.
Kresge Building, Room 110
677 Huntington Avenue

Chicago Actuarial Association Workshop, Chicago, USA
Dr. Leonid Gavrilov, Dr. Natalia Gavrilova
Invited talk: -- "Predictors of Exceptional Human Longevity"
March 13, 2007, 4:10pm
BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois
300 East Randolph Street, CAL level
Click here for Power Point Presentation.

University of Wisconsin- Madison
Center for Demography of Health and Aging (CDHA)
March 7, 2007
4308 William H. Sewell Social Science Building
L.A. Gavrilov, N.S. Gavrilova "Biodemography of Human Longevity: New Findings and Ideas"
For Power-Point presentation click here

Buck Institute for Age Research
August 4, 2006
8001 Redwood Boulevard, Novato, CA
(1) Dr. Leonid Gavrilov "Reliability Theory of Aging and Longevity"
For Power-Point Presentation click here
(2) Dr. Natalia Gavrilova "Testing Biological Theories of Aging with Demographic and Genealogical Data"
For Power-Point Presentation click here

14th Annual World Congress on Anti-Aging Medicine
Chicago, July 2006
Two invited talks (Program):
(1) Leonid Gavrilov "Reliability Theory of Aging"
(Power Point presentation, 3Mb)
(2) Natalia Gavrilova "Factors of Exceptional Longevity"
(Power Point presentation, 2Mb)

Chicago Actuarial Association Workshop, Chicago, USA
Dr. Leonid Gavrilov, Dr. Natalia Gavrilova
Invited talk: -- "Predictors of Exceptional Human Longevity"
March 14, 2006, 3pm
BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois
300 East Randolph Street, CAL level
Click here for Power Point Presentation.

Columbia University, New York
Mailman School of Public Health, Research Seminar in Epidemiology, February 10, 2006
Dr. Leonid Gavrilov and Dr. Natalia Gavrilova.
"Reliability-Theory Approach to Epidemiological Studies of Aging, Mortality and Longevity"
Columbia University Medical Center, Hammer Health Science Center, Room: 301, 701 W. Time: 1:00 pm - 2:30pm
Click here for Power Point Presentation (2.5Mb)

International Conference "Longevity and Mortality Risks: Research Contributions"
Paris, France, January 17, 2006
Invited Lecture:
Dr. Natalia Gavrilova and Dr. Leonid Gavrilov
"Mortality Tables and Laws: Biodemographic Analysis and Reliability Theory Approach"
Click here for Power Point Presentation (1.5Mb)

The University of California, Santa Cruz.
Applied Mathematics & Statistics (AMS) and CSTAR Research Seminars
Two invited presentations:
(1) Dr. Natalia Gavrilova and Dr. Leonid Gavrilov. "Testing Biological Ideas on Evolution, Aging and Longevity
with Demographic and Genealogical Data" October 10, 2005. Click here for Power Point Presentation
(2) Dr. Leonid Gavrilov and Dr. Natalia Gavrilova. "Reliability Theory of Aging and Longevity" October 10, 2005.
Click here for Power Point Presentation

The University of Chicago. Department of Ecology and Evolution.
The Ecology and Evolution Natural History Seminar
Two invited presentations:
(1) Dr. Leonid Gavrilov and Dr. Natalia Gavrilova. "Testing Biological Ideas on Evolution, Aging and Longevity with Demographic and Genealogical Data" May 10, 2005. Click here for Power Point Presentation
(2) Dr. Leonid Gavrilov and Dr. Natalia Gavrilova. "Reliability Theory of Aging and Longevity" May 24, 2005.
Click here for Power Point Presentation

International Symposium "Living to 100 and Beyond: Survival at Advanced Ages"
Orlando, Florida, January 12-14, 2005, The Society of Actuaries
Two invited presentations:
(1) N. S. Gavrilova, L. A. Gavrilov. "Search for Predictors of Exceptional Human Longevity: Using Computerized Genealogies and Internet Resources for Human Longevity Studies"
For Abstract of the paper click here
Click here for Power Point Presentation
(2) L. A. Gavrilov. Invited discussion of the paper “IDL, the International Database on Longevity”
Click here for Power Point Presentation

12th Annual World Congress on Anti-Aging Medicine
Chicago, August 2004
Two invited talks (Program and Speakers):
(1) Leonid Gavrilov "Reliability theory of aging" (Power Point presentation, 4Mb)
Abstract: "Reliability theory of aging"
(2) Natalia Gavrilova "Biodemography of human longevity" (Power Point presentation, 2Mb)
Abstract "Biodemography of human longevity"

The National Institute on Aging, NIH, Washington, DC, USA
Workshop on Uses of Survival Data in Research on Factors Affecting Aging
Gavrilov L.A., Gavrilova N.S. "Using survival data as a predictive factor for survival or other outcomes",
May 11, 2004, 12:45-5:00pm
Gateway Building, Room 5C25 May 11-12, 2004
See Participant list and Workshop Agenda
Click here for Power Point Presentation (1Mb).

Chicago Actuarial Association Workshop, Chicago, USA
Invited talk: -- "Bio-Actuarial Studies of Human Longevity"
March 18, 2004, 3pm
BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois
300 East Randolph Street, CAL level
Click here for Power Point Presentation (2Mb).

The University of Sydney, Sidney, Australia
Anderson Stuart Seminar Series
Invited talk: -- "Reliability-engineering approach to the problem of biological aging"
12 March 2004, 1pm, Room E401
Anderson Stuart Building, Sydney, Australia
Click here for Power Point Presentation (4Mb).

Centre for Education and Research on Ageing (CERA), Sidney, Australia
Invited talk: -- "Genetics of Human Longevity: New Ideas and Findings"
Monday, March 8, 2004 at 9.00-10.00 am
Concord Hospital, Sidney, Australia
Click here for Power Point Presentation (1Mb).
See photos.

Inaugural International Conference on Longevity
Sydney, Australia, March 5-7, 2004
Two invited presentations:

(1) March 5th, 2004. 10:15am. Plenary Session - Living Longer
Dr. Leonid A. Gavrilov. "Biodemography of Human Longevity"
Click here for Power Point Presentation (4Mb).
This keynote lecture received an average score of 4.21 out of 5.00 maximum possible points in its anonymous evaluation conducted by the Organizing Committee among the Conference participants.
Some comments include:
-- "Great to see such a dedicated, warm scientist."
-- "Amazing! We consider a genetic reason for everything. Every aspect has to be considered."
-- "Content was fascinating & pitched at an intelligent level - Great!!"
The Conference organizers selected this lecture with two other lectures (one by a representative from the United Nations, and another by a representative from the World Health Organization) for a world-wide distribution in the form of DVD (DVD04_01):
http://www.internationalresearchcentre.org/shop/scditem.asp?ProdID=2

(2) March 5th, 2004. 5:30pm. Session "Healthy Aging: Research & Policy"
Dr. Natalia S. Gavrilova. "Genetics of Human Longevity: New Ideas and Findings"
Click here for Power Point Presentation (4Mb).
For more information see Conference Brochure and Final Conference Program
See photos.

Harvard University, Boston, USA
Invited talk: -- 'Patterns of violent crime in Russia'
Friday, February 13, 2004, seminar 'Crime, Law, and Justice in post-Soviet Russia'
The Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies
Click here for Power Point Presentation.
See photos.

University of Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
Population Genetics Seminars.
Invited talk: -- 'Testing Biological Ideas on Evolution, Ageing and Longevity with Demographic and Genealogical Data'.
Institute of Cell, Animal and Population Biology (ICAPB),
8 October, 2003. University of Edinburgh, Biological Department.
Click here for Power Point Presentation (4Mb).

Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
Invited talk: -- 'Bio-Actuarial Studies on Human Longevity'.
7 October, 2003. Mathematics Building of Heriot-Watt University,
School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences, Actuarial Mathematics and Statistics.

International Seminar 'Projecting Future Mortality', Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
Sponsored by Continuous Mortality Investigation Bureau and the Government Actuary's Department.
Invited talk: -- 'Limits on Human Lifespan and Molecular Effects on Ageing'.
Click here for Power Point Presentation (4Mb).
6 October, 2003, Royal College of Surgeons, Nicholson Street, Edinburgh

Social Medicine Seminar Programme, Bristol, UK
Invited talk: -- 'Epidemiology of Human Longevity',
25 September, 2003, Department of Social Medicine, University of Bristol

10th Congress of the International Association of Biomedical Gerontology
Queens' College, Cambridge, England September 19-23, 2003.
Three invited presentations:
-- 'Early-Life Programming of Aging and Longevity: The Idea of High Initial Damage Load (the HIDL Hypothesis).'
See Abstract published in Biogerontology, 4(Suppl. 1): 34-34, 19 Sep 2003, and listen the presentation as audio (MP3) file available here.
-- 'Does Exceptional Human Longevity Come With High Cost of Infertility? Testing the Evolutionary Theories of Aging.'
See Abstract published in Biogerontology, 4(Suppl. 1): 35-35, 19 Sep 2003.
-- 'Reliability-Engineering Approach to the Problem of Biological Aging.'
See Abstract published in Biogerontology, 4(Suppl. 1): 34-35, 19 Sep 2003.

Chicago Actuarial Association Workshop
-- invited speaker, Chicago, March 25, 2003

World Health Forum on Aging
invited delegate, Dallas/Fort Worth, USA, February, 2003

NIH meeting 'The Dynamic and Energetic Basis of Health and Aging'
-- (invited speaker, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, November, 2002);

International meeting
"Grandmothers: The psychological, social, and reproductive significance of the second half of life."
-- invited speaker, Delmenhorst, Germany, September, 2002

International Symposium of The Society of Actuaries
'Living to 100 and Beyond: Survival at Advanced Ages'
-- (Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA, January, 2002, invited discussant)

IPSEN Foundation, Paris, France (1999, 1995);

INSERM, Montpellier, France (1999);

Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany (1999);

BowlingGreen State University, Ohio (1999);

Department of Demography at the Rome University, Italy [Dipartrimento di Scienze Demografiche, Roma, Universita 'La Sapienza'] (1998);

Universite Catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium, (1998, 1997, 1995, 3 presentations);

Gerontology Research Center, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, MA (1998);

Department of Biology, Universite Catholique de Louvain, Belgium (1997);

Center for Gerontology Research, Allegheny University of the Health Sciences, Philadelphia, PA (1997);

University of Washington, Seattle, WA (1997);

Aeiveos Sciences Group, Seattle, WA (1997);

Institute on Aging, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI (1997);

Center on Aging, NORC/University of Chicago, IL (1997);

Iowa State University, Ames (1997);

Gerontology Center of the University of Georgia, Athens, GA (1997);

Institute of HeartMath, Boulder Creek, CA (1997);

Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute (NIDI), The Hague, Netherlands (1995);

Sussex University, Brighton, UK (1995);

Faculty of Social Sciences, Utrecht University, Netherlands (1995).

Institut National d'etudes Demographiques (INED), Paris, France (September 25,1995)

Institute of Human Genetics, Wurzburg, Germany, 1993

Invited talks in Chicago, July 2006:
Two invited talks (Program):
(1) Leonid Gavrilov "Reliability theory of aging" (Power Point presentation, 3Mb)
(2) Natalia Gavrilova "Factors of Exceptional Longevity" (Power Point presentation, 2Mb)

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Home

http://longevity-science.org/

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Soft Drinks Linked to Aging ?

Greetings,

Today a lot of stories have appeared in the media implicating soft drinks (Fanta, Coca-Cola, Britvic's Pepsi Max, Diet Pepsi, Sprite, Oasis, and Dr Pepper) in "Parkinson's and quite a lot of neuro-degenerative diseases, but above all the whole process of ageing.":

Could Soft Drinks Make Your Mitochondria Fizzle?
Wired News - Its safety has been tested, though not rigorously, and a British scientist with the unfortunate name of Peter Piper has shown that sodium benzoate shuts down the mitochondria of yeast cells.
Expert's drink additive fears Sheffield Today
Fresh health fears hit benzoate in soft drinks NutraIngredients-usa.com
Research: Sodas May Pose Serious Health Risks AHN
all 46 news articles »

Well, a small investigation reveals that the "news" media fuss is related to this study published 8 years ago:

Piper PW, "Yeast superoxide dismutase mutants reveal a pro-oxidant action of weak organic acid food preservatives," Free Radic Biol Med. 1999 Dec; 27(11-12):1219-27

This paper acknowledges that:

"Benzoic acid is generally assumed to be safe because it is conjugated in the liver to produce benzoylglycine (hippuric acid), a compound that is then excreted in the urine. Sorbate is also largely excreted, in this case mostly as the oxidation product 2,4-hexadienedioxic acid. However, before these acids are transported to the liver, they will come into contact with the epithelia of the gastrointestinal tract."

Therefore the possible risk is limited to the epithelia of the gastrointestinal tract only, which is reflected in the last sentence of the article abstract:

"This raises the concern that the large-scale consumption of these preservatives in the human diet may generate oxidative stress within the epithelia of the gastrointestinal tract."

Obviously a potential damage limited to the epithelia of the gastrointestinal tract only can not be possibly responsible for "Parkinson's and quite a lot of neuro-degenerative diseases, but above all the whole process of ageing."

On the other hand, we may agree with the following, more balanced statement of this article:

"...the potential for weak organic acid food preservatives to act as pro-oxidants in humans should probably be reexamined, if only to reassure the public of the complete safety of these compounds."

For easy reading about food preservatives sodium benzoate, potassium benzoate, and other food additives, see:

Nutrition For Dummies
by Carol Ann Rinzler (Paperback - Jun 19, 2006)



For more professional coverage of this topic, please see:

Food Preservatives
by Nicholas J. Russell and Grahame W. Gould (Hardcover - Oct 19, 2005)


See also:

New Books about Soft Drinks


Key words:
Soft drinks, Aging, Sodium benzoate, Peter Piper,Benzoic acid, Parkinson's disease, Neuro-degenerative diseases, epithelia of the gastrointestinal tract, Fanta, Coca-Cola, Britvic's Pepsi Max, Diet Pepsi, Sprite, Oasis, Dr Pepper

To read comments on this story, and to post your own thoughts, click here


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Sex and Longevity

Greetings,

Recently a flurry of news reports have appeared in the media, claiming that sexual activity increases human lifespan:

A study conducted by Queens University in Belfast, Ireland, found that sex on a regular basis is not only healthy for our bodies but also improves our overall length of life.

The study was published in 1997 in the British Medical Journal and tracked the mortality of about 1,000 middle-aged men over the course of a decade. The study compared men of comparable age and health and found that men who had the highest frequency of orgasm had a death rate half that of the other men who did not orgasm frequently.

Well, here is the original study:

-------------------------------------------

BMJ: British Medical Journal, International Edition
BMJ 1997;315:1641-1644 (20 December)

Sex and death: are they related? Findings from the Caerphilly cohort study

George Davey Smith, professor of clinical epidemiology,^a Stephen Frankel, professor of epidemiology and public health medicine,^a John Yarnell, senior lecturer <sup>b

a</sup> Department of Social Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 2PR, ^b Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Queen's University of Belfast, Belfast BT12 6BJ

Objective: To examine the relation between frequency of orgasm and mortality.

Study design: Cohort study with a 10 year follow up.

Setting: The town of Caerphilly, South Wales, and five adjacent villages.

Subjects: 918 men aged 45-59 at time of recruitment between 1979 and 1983.

Main outcome measures: All deaths and deaths from coronary heart disease.

Result: Mortality risk was 50% lower in the group with high orgasmic frequency than in the group with low orgasmic frequency, with evidence of a dose-response relation across the groups. Age adjusted odds ratio for all cause mortality was 2.0 for the group with low frequency of orgasm (95% confidence interval 1.1 to 3.5, test for trend P=0.02). With adjustment for risk factors this became 1.9 (1.0 to 3.4, test for trend P=0.04). Death from coronary heart disease and from other causes showed similar associations with frequency of orgasm, although the gradient was most marked for deaths from coronary heart disease. Analysed in terms of actual frequency of orgasm, the odds ratio for total mortality associated with an increase in 100 orgasms per year was 0.64 (0.44 to 0.95).

Conclusion: Sexual activity seems to have a protective effect on men's health.



-----------

My Comment:
Not sure why the media have chosen to put in the News this study published 10 years ago, but anyway, have a nice weekend and enjoy the holidays in the most healthy way!
See also:
Longevity Science: LOVE
A word of caution:
Even if these findings are correct, they are open to interpretation, because of reversed causality possible. In other words, it is possible that it is not the higher sexual activity that causes a better health, but the reversed situation -- having a better health causes a higher sexual activity among particularly healthy men.
How can we disentangle these two alternative hypotheses?
Post your ideas here!


Key words:
Sex, Death, Mortality, Caerphilly cohort study, orgasm, coronary heart disease, men's health, longevity, Sexual Activity, human lifespan, love

To read comments on this story, and to post your own thoughts, click here


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Longevity Science: Sex and Longevity

Greetings,

Here is a useful NIH tutorial on how to write a grant application:

How to Write a Grant Application Takes you through the Grant Application Package forms and shows how to respond to events after application. Tutorial Table of Contents Focus Your Application Before You Start Writing Don't Propose Too Much How Review Criteria Relate to Your Score Write a Strong Application Write to Your Audience Be Persuasive, But Be Careful of Being Too Innovative Balance the Technical and Nontechnical Make Life Easy for Reviewers Know These Review Problems and Solutions More Common Problems Cited by Peer Reviewers Organizing, Writing, and Formatting Master the Application -- Page Limits Master the Application -- Formatting Requirements Plan and Organize Effectively Write, Edit, and Proof Like a Pro Edit Before Sending in Your Application The NIH Grant Application: Section by Section Introduction Develop Your Research Plan How Will You Organize Your Research Plan? Specific Aims Background and Significance Preliminary Studies/Progress Report Research Design and Methods General Approach Explore Alternatives, Thoroughly Reference How Will You Deal With Results? Address Requirements for rDNA Research Human Subjects Is it Human Subjects Research? If the Answer Is Yes for Human Subjects Reviewers Look at More Data for Human Subjects Vertebrate Animals Select Agent Research If Your Application Has Multiple PIs Consultants or Collaborators? Consortium and Contractual Agreements Using Consultants Resource Sharing If You Need an Appendix Application Contents Other Than the Research Plan Tips for Other Form Components SF 424 (Cover Page) Other Project Information Form Bibliography and References Cited Project Summary/Abstract and Project Narrative Facilities, Resources, and Equipment Senior/Key Person Profile Form Prepare the Biographical Sketches R&R Budget Forms Strategy for Planning a Budget Modular Budget Basics Create Your Budget Do You Need a Cover Letter? Other Support Don't Confuse Research Support With Other Support Develop Other Support Information Final Steps Before Sending After You've Finished Writing Consider Requesting an Institute and Study Section Requesting an Institute Requesting a Study Section Finalize Your Application Package After Submission How to Submit on Time Rules for Late Applications Pass Validations Checking the Application Image Avoid Having Your Application Returned Hearing Back About Your Application's Assignments Call if You Are Not Satisfied With a CSR Assignment You May Be Able to Send in Additional Data What to Do if You Did Not Succeed If Your Score Was Not Fundable or You Were Not Scored Ask: Is It Fixable? Call Your Program Officer for Feedback Assess How Serious the Problems Are Summary Statements Have Their Limitations If You Were Not Scored, You May Be Able to Revise Common Fixable Problems Not Fixable or More Difficult Problems If Problems Are Fixable, You Have Several Options Option 1: Revise and Resubmit to the Same Study Section Option 2: Revise and Resubmit to a Different Study Section Option 3: Revise and Create a New Application Using Parts of the Old One Option 4: Create a Truly New Application Should You Appeal? Resubmitting: Respond to Reviewers' Comments Resubmission Tips Include an Introduction for a Resubmission Why You Still May Not Get Funded Links to Other Resources In Conclusion

Quest for Human Longevity

Greetings,

Some time ago the New England Journal of Medicine has invited us to write a review of this new book:

The Quest for Human Longevity:
SCIENCE, BUSINESS, AND PUBLIC POLICY
By Lewis D. Solomon. 197 pp. New Brunswick, N.J., Translation Publishers, 2006. $34.95. ISBN 0-7658-0300-3.



This book review was eventually published:

Gavrilov L.A., Gavrilova N.S. The Quest for Human Longevity: Science, Business, and Public Policy [Book Review]. The New England Journal of Medicine, 2006, 354(19): 2663-2664.

Here is the initial original text of the book review, which is more detailed and informative when compared to the abridged final text published by the journal:

This is very unusual book written by a professor of business law from the George Washington University law school. Most other popular books on human longevity are focused almost exclusively on scientific ideas and breakthroughs in life-extension research, and they typically avoid any money talks as inappropriate subject. According to existing tradition, it is believed that scientists are driven mostly by academic curiosity and a noble desire to save a mankind from age-related degenerative diseases, rather than profiting from their research. This somewhat idealistic perspective is challenged in a new book, which describes in a great detail how important money is in modern entrepreneurial world of life-extension and anti-aging research business. The book provides an alternative, more realistic perspective that financial incentives are driving scientific innovations in anti-aging studies by stimulating researchers to take risks and to work really hard.

“The Quest for Human Longevity” goes beyond traditional curtains of financial secrecy when it describes the detailed history of eight corporations that were pursuing anti-aging and life-extension interventions recently -- Geron Corporation, Juvenon, Eukarion, BioMarker Pharmaceuticals, Elixir Pharmaceuticals, Helicon Therapeutics, Memory Pharmaceuticals, and Cortex Pharmaceuticals. Particularly interesting are the candid profiles of their scientific founders and top executives, which include Michael West, Bruce Ames, Stephen Spindler, Saul Kent, Cynthia Kenyon, Leonard Guarentee, David Sinclair, Eric Kandel and other prominent leaders and scientists.

According to this book, there is nothing wrong for researchers supported by taxpayers grant money to be also involved in for-profit businesses, and to benefit financially from their research findings. The book provides many examples of such activities conducted by reputable scientists involved both in life-extension and anti-aging research, as well as in related businesses. The opponents to this practice of commercialized science may disagree with the book author, but still may find this book interesting and useful because of provided particular examples when academic scientists form the link between research and commerce, which they may wish to investigate in more detail.

The book also examines intellectual property, and financing for each of the eight firms that were pursuing anti-aging and life-extension interventions. This helps readers to understand how some of these companies managed to survive without producing any product on the market. This survival was achieved by ‘marking the territory’ -- claiming the intellectual property through patents, and then benefiting from them through license agreements, etc. It would not be exaggeration to say that most profits now come not from the sale of legitimate anti-aging and life-extension drugs, but rather from the sale of future expectations for these drugs in the form of intellectual property. It is not surprising therefore that many of these companies are literally struggling to survive, and the book describes this dramatic struggle for survival for each company in a great detail.

The science behind anti-aging research in these companies is also discussed and it includes such topics as telomeres shortening with age and restoration of telomere length with telomerase enzyme, oxidative damage by free radicals and antioxidant protection, aging retardation through caloric restriction and its mimetics, aging retardation through modulating gene expression, and developing memory-enhancing drugs to cope with brain aging.

Public policy implications of the anticipated dramatic extension of healthy lifespan in the future are also discussed in the book, and a conclusion is made that, on balance, the benefits will outweigh the social problems associated with life extension.

“The Quest for Human Longevity” will be of interest to medical students, scientists involved in biomedical aging research, policymakers, biotech investors, as well as general readers interested in compelling issues of future life-extension and debates over commercialized science.

Leonid Gavrilov, Ph.D.
Center on Aging at the National Opinion Research Center and the University of Chicago Chicago, IL 60637
gavrilov (at) longevity-science.org

Natalia Gavrilova, Ph.D.
Center on Aging at the National Opinion Research Center and the University of Chicago Chicago, IL 60637
gavrilova (at) health-studies.org

------------------------------------------------

Key words:
Quest for Human Longevity, Lewis D. Solomon, New England Journal of Medicine,Geron Corporation, Juvenon, Eukarion, BioMarker Pharmaceuticals, Elixir Pharmaceuticals, Helicon Therapeutics, Memory Pharmaceuticals, Cortex Pharmaceuticals, Michael West, Bruce Ames, Stephen Spindler, Saul Kent, Cynthia Kenyon, Leonard Guarentee, David Sinclair, Eric Kandel, Anti-aging studies, Caloric restriction


To read comments on this review, and to post your own thoughts, click here


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Ageing Research Reviews

Greetings,

Recently I was invited by the academic journal "Ageing Research Reviews" to review and evaluate a scientific manuscript submitted to them. I was pleased to recommend this manuscript for publication, and I also believe that the journal itself deserves a broader attention:

Ageing Research Reviews



About this Journal
A source for critical reviews and viewpoints on emerging findings on mechanisms of ageing and age-related disease. Emphasis is on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of the aging process and age-related diseases. Lifespan extension and disease prevention are also covered in this journal.

Description: AIMS AND SCOPE
As the average human life expectancy has increased, so too has the impact of ageing and age-related disease on ou society. Ageing research is now the focus of thousands of laboratories that include leaders in the areas of genetics, molecular and cellular biology, biochemistry, and behaviour. Ageing Research Reviews (ARR) covers the trends in this field. It is designed to fill a large void, namely, a source for critical reviews and viewpoints on emerging findings on mechanisms of ageing and age-related disease. Rapid advances in understanding of mechanisms that control cellular proliferation, differentiation and survival are leading to new insight into the regulation of ageing. From telomerase to stem cells to energy and oxyradical metabolism, this is an exciting new era in the multidisciplinary field of ageing research. The cellular and molecular underpinnings of manipulations that extend lifespan, such as caloric restriction, are being identified and novel approaches for preventing age-related diseases are being developed. ARR publishes articles on focussed topics selected from the broad field of ageing research, with an emphasis on cellular and molecular mechanisms of the aging process and age-related diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and neurodegenerative disorders. Applications of basic ageing research to lifespan extension and disease prevention are also covered in this journal.

Product Details
Format: Magazine, 4 issues / 12 months
Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
Publisher: Elsevier
ASIN: B00006K294

Editor
Mark P. Mattson, Editorial Office Ageing Research Reviews, Laboratory of Neurosciences, National Institute on Ageing, Gerontology Research Center 4F01, 5600 Nathan Shock Drive, Baltimore, Maryland 21224-6825, USA. mattsonm@grc.nia.nih.gov

This journal is particularly good for paper submissions in those cases when you do not have new original experimental data yet, but still have interesting ideas to publish, which are supported by existing scientific literature.

Key words:
Ageing Research Reviews, Mark P. Mattson, Leonid Gavrilov

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Previous posts:

• New Books for May 2007
• Reader's Digest Story
• Longevity Talk in Florida
• Body Size and Human Longevity
• Clues to Longevity
• Longevity Lecture in Halifax
• The Way We Age
• Lecture at Harvard
• Biogerontologists
• Edmonton Aging Symposium

New Books for May 2007

See also:
New Books for August 2007
New Books for July 2007
New Books for June 2007




Greetings,

Here is the list of new books on aging and longevity, which have become available this month.

The books are listed in reversed chronological order (the most recent books are listed first). To get more information about these books, just click on the titles below:


1. Adult Development and Aging
by Bert Hayslip, Julie Hicks-Patrick, and Paul E. Panek (Hardcover - April 30, 2007)

2. Geriatric Rheumatology, An Issue of Rheumatic Disease Clinics (The Clinics: Internal Medicine)
by Arthur F. Kavanaugh (Hardcover - April 30, 2007)

3. Fostering Social Work Gerontology Competence: A Collection of Papers from the First National Gerontological Social Work Conference
by Catherine J., Ph.D. Tompkins and Anita L., Ph.D. Rosen (Paperback - April 30, 2007)

4. Social Care Challenges for the Ageing in Asia
by Raymond Ngan and S. Vasoo (Paperback - April 30, 2007)

5. Dementia: Metamorphosis in Care
by Claire Biernacki (Paperback - April 27, 2007)

6. Getting Started in A Financially Secure Retirement (Getting Started In.....)
by Henry K. Hebeler (Paperback - April 27, 2007)

7. Handbook of Gerontology: Evidence-Based Approaches to Theory, Practice, and Policy
by James A. Blackburn and Catherine N. Dulmus (Hardcover - April 20, 2007)

8. Brain Aging: Models, Methods, and Mechanisms (Frontiers in Neuroscience)
by David R. Riddle (Hardcover - April 19, 2007)

9. Neurobiology of Epilepsy and Aging, Volume 81 (International Review of Neurobiology.)
by R. Eugene Ramsay, James C. Cloyd, Kevin M. Kelly, and Ilo E. Leppik (Hardcover - April 16, 2007)

10. Healthy Aging & Longevity Third International Conference (Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences)
by Weller Noah J (Paperback - April 15, 2007)

11. Encyclopedia of Health and Aging
by Kyriakos S. Markides (Hardcover - April 13, 2007)

12. Assisted Dying and Legal Change
by Penney Lewis (Hardcover - April 12, 2007)

13. Intersections of Aging: Readings in Social Gerontology
by Jon Hendricks, Elizabeth W. Markson, and Lisa A. Hollis-Sawyer (Paperback - April 10, 2007)

14. Chasing Life: New Discoveries in the Search for Immortality to Help You Age Less Today
by Sanjay Gupta (Hardcover - April 9, 2007)

15. The Essential Guide to Aging in the Twenty-first Century: Mind, Body, and Behavior
by Donald H. Kausler, Barry C. Kausler, and Jill A. Krupsaw (Paperback - April 9, 2007)

16. The 10-Minute Rejuvenation Plan: T5T: The Revolutionary Exercise Program That Restores Your Body and Mind
by Carolinda Witt (Paperback - April 3, 2007)

17. 2007-2008 Geriatrics At Your Fingertips
by David Rueben (Paperback - April 1, 2007)

18. 8 Powerful Secrets to Anti-Aging
by Dr. Paul Ling Tai (Hardcover - April 1, 2007)

19. Ageing in India: Socio-Economic and Health Dimensions
by Moneer Alam (Hardcover - April 1, 2007)

20. Alzheimer's: Where Do We Go from Here?
by Lisa W Smith (Hardcover - April 1, 2007)

21. Senescence Processes in Plants (Annual Plant Reviews)
by Susheng Gan, Marie-Jeanne Carp, Jen-Chih Chen, and Paul Dijkwel (Hardcover - April 1, 2007) - Illustrated

The same list is repeated below in enhanced version with book images added:

-----------------

Enhanced List with Book Images Provided

1.
Adult Development and Aging by Bert Hayslip, Julie Hicks-Patrick, and Paul E. Panek (Hardcover - April 30, 2007)


2.
Geriatric Rheumatology, An Issue of Rheumatic Disease Clinics (The Clinics: Internal Medicine) by Arthur F. Kavanaugh (Hardcover - April 30, 2007)


3.
Fostering Social Work Gerontology Competence: A Collection of Papers from the First National Gerontological Social Work Conference by Catherine J., Ph.D. Tompkins and Anita L., Ph.D. Rosen (Paperback - April 30, 2007)


4.
Social Care Challenges for the Ageing in Asia by Raymond Ngan and S. Vasoo (Paperback - April 30, 2007)


5.
Dementia: Metamorphosis in Care by Claire Biernacki (Paperback - April 27, 2007)


6.
Getting Started in A Financially Secure Retirement (Getting Started In.....) by Henry K. Hebeler (Paperback - April 27, 2007)


7.
Handbook of Gerontology: Evidence-Based Approaches to Theory, Practice, and Policy by James A. Blackburn and Catherine N. Dulmus (Hardcover - April 20, 2007)


8.
Brain Aging: Models, Methods, and Mechanisms (Frontiers in Neuroscience) by David R. Riddle (Hardcover - April 19, 2007)


9.
Neurobiology of Epilepsy and Aging, Volume 81 (International Review of Neurobiology.) by R. Eugene Ramsay, James C. Cloyd, Kevin M. Kelly, and Ilo E. Leppik (Hardcover - April 16, 2007)


10.
Healthy Aging & Longevity Third International Conference (Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences) by Weller Noah J (Paperback - April 15, 2007)


11.
Encyclopedia of Health and Aging by Kyriakos S. Markides (Hardcover - April 13, 2007)


12.
Assisted Dying and Legal Change by Penney Lewis (Hardcover - April 12, 2007)


13.
Intersections of Aging: Readings in Social Gerontology by Jon Hendricks, Elizabeth W. Markson, and Lisa A. Hollis-Sawyer (Paperback - April 10, 2007)


14.
Chasing Life: New Discoveries in the Search for Immortality to Help You Age Less Today by Sanjay Gupta (Hardcover - April 9, 2007)


15.
The Essential Guide to Aging in the Twenty-first Century: Mind, Body, and Behavior by Donald H. Kausler, Barry C. Kausler, and Jill A. Krupsaw (Paperback - April 9, 2007)


16.
The 10-Minute Rejuvenation Plan: T5T: The Revolutionary Exercise Program That Restores Your Body and Mind by Carolinda Witt (Paperback - April 3, 2007)


17.
2007-2008 Geriatrics At Your Fingertips by David Rueben (Paperback - April 1, 2007)


18.
8 Powerful Secrets to Anti-Aging by Dr. Paul Ling Tai (Hardcover - April 1, 2007)


19.
Ageing in India: Socio-Economic and Health Dimensions by Moneer Alam (Hardcover - April 1, 2007)


20.
Alzheimer's: Where Do We Go from Here? by Lisa W Smith (Hardcover - April 1, 2007)


21.
Senescence Processes in Plants (Annual Plant Reviews) by Susheng Gan, Marie-Jeanne Carp, Jen-Chih Chen, and Paul Dijkwel (Hardcover - April 1, 2007) - Illustrated



If you do know some new books that should be added to this list, please feel free to add them here!


Key words:
New books, aging, ageing, longevity, gerontology, gerontological, geriatrics, geriatric, senescence, anti-aging, rejuvenation, life-extension, immortality


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