Best of: New life for old muscles

To kick off 2024, we’re bringing you an episode that’s been one of our most popular. The timing is just right as many of us are headed into the new year thinking about how to live better. In this episode, Professor Helen Blau, a stem cell biologist, tells us all about how she’s recruiting stem cells to regenerate youthful muscle in older people. We’re thrilled to bring this episode out of the archives for another listen and renewed hope about possibilities ahead in the world of health.  Happy New Year from Russ and the team here at The Future of Everything. 

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• Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything Website
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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction & Importance of Muscles in Aging
Host Russ Altman introduces the episode, the ways that muscles weakening with age affects us, and how guest, Professor Helen Blau’s work with stem cells  is addressing this.

(00:02:03) Regenerative Medicine & Stem Cells

The goals of regenerative medicine in enhancing the quality of life as people age. Overview of different types of stem cells and their potential.

(00:04:28) Focus on Muscle: Sarcopenia and Aging

Emphasizing the desire to age well, and the centrality of muscles in daily activities and how they atrophy with age.

(00:07:44) Approaches to Combating Muscle Aging

Lack of available drugs addressing muscle wasting and potential research directions. Targeting stem cells and mature muscle fibers for rejuvenation.

(00:09:09) Lab Discoveries and Challenges

Dr.  Blau's lab experiments to identify and maintain functional stem cells, the breakthrough in bioengineering microenvironments & it’s impact.

(00:12:41) Stem Cell Rejuvenation

Insights into rejuvenating stem cell functions through cell therapy that lead to. 

(00:14:37) Inflammatory Pathways and Stem Cell Response

Dr Blau explains the importance of the wave of inflammation for stem cells, and the discoveries this lead to. 

(00:17:55) Broad-Scale Muscle Rejuvenation

Exploring systemic alterations targeting inflammation pathways for global muscle regeneration. Identification of PGE-2 degrading enzyme and results of limiting this enzyme.

(00:21:33) Human Trials, Challenges & Drug Development

Discussion on the prospects of translating findings to human treatments and developing an oral drug

(00:24:42) Timeline and Clinical Trials

Anticipated timelines for the drug's availability for human trials and potential applications.

Connect With Us:

Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything Website

Connect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / Mastodon

Connect with School of Engineering >>>Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook