Performance Around The Clock Hemal Patel - philosophy, meditation and science. Performance Around The Clock episode 35.
Aug 19, 2025
Dr. Hemal Patel, a renowned Professor at UC San Diego, delves into the fascinating intersection of mitochondrial biology and meditation. He discusses an innovative blood-based assay to assess mitochondrial health, developed from insights gained in the NASA Twin Study. The conversation also explores the therapeutic potential of caveolin in treating diseases like Alzheimer's and the mind-body connection through meditation. Patel shares how his philosophical and spiritual journey influences his work, bridging ancient wisdom with modern science.
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Model Human Complexity, Not Healthy Youth
- Use complex, human-relevant animal models when testing cardioprotective therapies instead of young healthy animals.
- Mimic human disease complexity to improve translational success of drugs.
Mitochondria As Energy Conduit
- Mitochondria supply vastly more ATP than glycolysis, enabling biological complexity and high energy demands like the heart's daily output.
- Energy processing is a core conduit linking molecular layers to physiology and disease.
Blood Plasma As A Mitochondrial Window
- Plasma carries a global biochemical snapshot and can be transferred onto cells to read out mitochondrial responses noninvasively.
- A dried blood card plus adoptive-transfer cell assays let researchers assess systemic energetic health remotely.
