#3 - Mike West - Pluripotent Stem Cells, Telomerase, and How Age X is Solving Human Regeneration

04/11/20 • 95 min

Mike West is a legend in the field of Gerontology, the study of aging. Back in the 90's, Mike's company Geron Corp, was the first company to not only successfully isolate embryonic stem cells, but to also isolate the telomerase gene, also known as the immortalizing gene. Gerons discoveries were so significant they prompted the former President of the United States to address the nation.
It was an absolute honor to speak with Mike West, who is currently the CEO of Age X Therapeutics. The conversation, initially planned for only 30 minutes, flew by as it turned into an hour and a half long, mind blowing conversation about pluripotent stem cells, telomerase, and the absolute sci fi levels of potential behind these technologies.
Arnold Schwarzenegger babies, glowing dogs, a 600 year human life span, and growing replacement organs in a petri dish are just a few of the topics we discussed on today's episode. Strap in, because this conversation is going to take you into orbit.
-James Ruhle, SimpleBioTechPodcast.com
Stay up to date with the latest episodes and BioTech updates by following me on instagram @SimpleBioTech
If you want to know which BioTech companies I'm currently excited about, connect with me on Angel List at Angel.co/jamesruhle

Previous Episode

#2 - Graham Pawelec - The Immune System and it's Role in Aging and Cancer Treatment

In this interview Graham Pawelec, a top academic in cancer research and immunotherapy, breaks down exactly how the immune system protects us, why it becomes less effect as we age, and how scientists are utilizing the immune system to cure cancer. Yes... to CURE cancer. If you're curious just how close we are to eliminating cancer, tune in to this exciting episode.
The timing of the podcast comes at a morbidly convenient time. Graham also explains exactly why the COVID-19 virus has been so detrimental to older people in particular, and why the immune systems of older people have such a hard time fighting new diseases.
In hindsight, after this interview, it seems pretty obvious how important the immune system is going to be in the bigger picture of truly eliminating aging. A stronger immune system means a stronger defense against life threatening disease. Less possibility of life threatening disease... means a longer life.
-James Ruhle, SimpleBioTechPodcast.com
Stay up to date with the latest episodes and BioTech updates by following me on instagram @SimpleBioTech
If you want to know which BioTech companies I'm currently excited about, connect with me on Angel List at Angel.co/jamesruhle

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undefined - #4 - Andy Koff - Preventing Quiescent Cells from Turning Senescent - A Unique Approach to Fighting Senescent Cells by Atropos Therapeutics

#4 - Andy Koff - Preventing Quiescent Cells from Turning Senescent - A Unique Approach to Fighting Senescent Cells by Atropos Therapeutics

Andy Koff is the Founder of Atropos Therapeutics. A company with a new approach to tackling senescent cells, one fo the biggest hallmarks of aging.
Atropos Therapeutics uses a bio marker to identify when a cell starts transitioning from a quiescent cell into a senescent cell. Using this bio marker, Atropos aims to be able to prevent the cell from transitioning into a senescent cell, they've dubbed this type of technology a "senosuppressant"
For 25 years or so, starting with his post-graduate work at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center with Jim Roberts, and into his faculty position at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Andy has used a multitude of approaches, biochemical, genetic and cellular, to identify the proteins and the mechanisms that control how cells choose between duplicating themselves, known as proliferating, or remaining in a non-proliferating state. This decision is incorrectly made in virtually all cancer cells, thus providing the framework to explain much about how drugs work in oncology.

About five years ago, Andy’s attention shifted to another decision...how cells maintain themselves in the non-proliferating state and what might be the consequences to not being able to do so. His work today has applications in both oncology and in aging and age-related diseases.
-James Ruhle, SimpleBioTechPodcast.com
Stay up to date with the latest episodes and BioTech updates by following me on instagram @SimpleBioTech
If you want to know which BioTech companies I'm currently excited about, connect with me on Angel List at Angel.co/jamesruhle

The Simple BioTech Podcast - #3 - Mike West - Pluripotent Stem Cells, Telomerase, and How Age X is Solving Human Regeneration

Transcript

Speaker 100:00:01.300

Embryonic STEM cell research offers both great promise and great pedal,

Speaker 100:00:06.910

so I have decided we must proceed with great care.

Speaker 200:00:12.509

What you just heard was George Bush, former president of the United States addressing the nation on live television about embryonic STEM cells. This happened in 2001 and what prompted George Bush to address the nation o