#19 Michael Levin | Can Bioelectrical Signals Reverse Aging?

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Apr 19, 2022

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Michael Levin

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INSIGHT

Bioelectric Networks As Cognitive Glue

Multicellular organisms are collective intelligences where bioelectric networks act as the cognitive glue that binds cells into higher-level decision-making systems.
Bioelectric signaling predates neurons and enables tissues to navigate “morphospace” and store anatomical goals beyond DNA alone.

INSIGHT

DNA Is Hardware, Bioelectricity Is Software

DNA encodes hardware (proteins) but usually lacks coarse-grained instructions for large-scale anatomy like size, shape, or symmetry.
Electrical and physiological states provide top-down information that cells use to make anatomical decisions DNA alone cannot predict.

ADVICE

Build An Anatomical Compiler Not Gene-By-Gene Fixes

Aim for an 'anatomical compiler' that translates a drawn anatomy into stimuli to instruct cells to build that shape.
Focus on reading/writing higher-level setpoints (electrical, chemical, biophysical) rather than editing every molecular component.

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Dr. Michael Levin is an American developmental and synthetic biologist at Tufts University where he heads his own lab. He also directs the Tufts Center for Regenerative and Developmental Biology.

His groundbreaking research focuses on bioelectrical signals that dictate the collective intelligence of cells and direct it to form tissues and organs. His work on bioelectric signals has important applications for how we understand cancer, regenerative medicine and even aging. In fact, he is collaborating with David Sinclair to see how his work can be applied to reverse aging.

Michael Levin’s work is fascinating and will surely leave you thinking. I hope you enjoy the conversation!

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MICHAEL LEVIN LINKS:

Website: https://ase.tufts.edu/biology/labs/levin/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/drmichaellevin

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TIMESTAMPS:

0:40 How do cells decide what to build?

10:05 DNA is insufficient for dictating collective intelligence of cells

19:00 Anatomical Complier (End game)

22:24 History of Cellular Collective Intelligence & Ala Turing

26:30 Regenerative Medicine & Morphoceuticals

38:05 Cells forming new anatomies

44:53 Cancer as a morphogenetic problem

55:16 David Sinclair, Bioelectrics to reverse aging

57:44 Synthetic Wombs & Artificial Life

59:41 Support Live Longer World!

Episode Show Notes: https://livelongerworld.substack.com/p/mlevin

Live Longer World Season 1 Recap: https://livelongerworld.substack.com/p/season1

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Thanks for watching & if you enjoy the episode, let's spread the message on longevity. Aging is universal. Let's unite in this fight.

Stay in good health - Aastha.