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592: Dr. Bill Adrews - Can We Slow — or Reverse — Aging? Telomeres, Telomerase & Longevity

Oct 31, 2025
Dr. Bill Andrews, a pioneering biotech researcher and founder of Sierra Sciences, is on a mission to slow and possibly reverse aging through his work with telomeres. He describes telomeres as 'ride tickets' for cells that dictate their lifespan. Dr. Andrews details his discovery of human telomerase and why it's repressed in most cells. He shares innovative methods to partially activate telomerase using plant extracts and discusses how lifestyle choices, like exercise and nutrition, can influence telomere dynamics, offering hope for longevity.
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INSIGHT

Telomeres Are The Cellular Ride Tickets

  • Telomere shortening explains the Hayflick limit and why aging occurs when cells can no longer replace damaged cells.
  • Telomeres act like ride tickets that get used each cell division until cells enter senescence and die.
ANECDOTE

Rapid Discovery At Geron

  • Dr. Bill Andrews joined Geron and promised to solve telomerase in three months.
  • He and his team discovered human telomerase in three months and 17 days.
INSIGHT

Why Reproductive Cells Stay Young

  • Reproductive cells express telomerase which maintains telomere length so children are born 'younger.'
  • Most somatic cells repress telomerase via a repressor protein binding the gene promoter (dimmer switch).
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