FT Tech Tonic Defying death: The origins of ageing
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Nov 26, 2025 
David Gems, a professor at University College London renowned for his pioneering work on the biology of ageing, teams up with longevity researcher Matt Kaeberlein from the University of Washington. They delve into the fascinating history of ageing research, highlighting key discoveries about genes that extend lifespan and the collapse of the oxidative damage theory. Kaeberlein shares insights on caloric restriction and promising drugs like rapamycin, while Gems advocates for practical anti-ageing measures that can enhance quality of life.
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IV Wellness Drip Experience
- Michael Peel describes receiving an IV wellness drip in a London clinic that claimed to deliver vitamins and antioxidants directly into his bloodstream.
- The clinic CEO, Sarah Lomas, frames IV therapies as part of a mainstream longevity and regenerative medicine future.
Worms Sparked Early Longevity Hopes
- David Gems explains how short-lived model organisms like C. elegans enabled major discoveries by showing single-gene changes could double lifespans.
- That breakthrough suggested a central ageing process existed but later led to overconfident timelines for human translation.
Oxidative Damage Theory Lost Traction
- The oxidative damage theory proposed ageing results from accumulated molecular damage and spurred antioxidant products.
- Later experiments showed antioxidants didn't extend lifespan, making oxidative damage more a symptom than a root cause.
