Michael Ringel, COO of Life Biosciences and a seasoned expert with a PhD in biology, discusses groundbreaking advancements in cellular rejuvenation therapies. He delves into partial epigenetic reprogramming, dubbed the 'holy grail' for longevity, explaining how it rejuvenates cells while preserving functionality. The conversation touches on the promising ER-100 therapy aimed at combating vision loss and the collaborative spirit essential in biotech innovations. Ringel also emphasizes the potential of longevity interventions to tackle multiple age-related diseases simultaneously.
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Michael Ringel's Aging Journey
Michael Ringel became interested in aging early, influenced by his father's knowledge of caloric restriction and Cynthia Kenyon's groundbreaking work on genetics of aging.
After years advising pharma companies, he committed to joining Life Biosciences to help develop partial epigenetic reprogramming therapies clinically.
insights INSIGHT
Partial Reprogramming Explained
Partial epigenetic reprogramming resets cells to a youthful state without losing their identity, unlike full reprogramming to pluripotency.
This technology shows promise to rejuvenate tissues and extend lifespan by tapping into natural biology seen in embryo and germline cells.
insights INSIGHT
Reprogramming vs Other Longevity Interventions
Most longevity interventions tap nutrient-sensing pathways like mTOR to boost maintenance and repair.
Partial epigenetic reprogramming has potential to surpass those by reversing age at a fundamental cell identity level.
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In 'Nature,' Ralph Waldo Emerson lays out the foundation of Transcendentalism, a philosophy that emphasizes the interconnectedness of all things and the divine presence in nature. The essay, published in 1836, divides nature into four usages: Commodity, Beauty, Language, and Discipline. Emerson argues that nature is not separate from humanity but is an integral part of the self, and that it can be perceived through spiritual intuition. He encourages readers to look beyond the surface of nature and appreciate its underlying spiritual essence, suggesting that solitude and disconnection from societal distractions are necessary to fully experience nature's wholeness[1][4][5].
Michael Ringel is the Chief Operating Officer of Life Biosciences, a biotechnology company pioneering cellular rejuvenation therapies to reverse and prevent multiple diseases of aging. Michael became COO of Life just a few months ago, but he's been advising the company since 2018. Prior to this year, he was managing director and senior partner at Boston Consulting Group (BCG), where over a 25-year career he focused on R&D and innovation initiatives across the private sector and government. He earned his PhD in biology at Imperial College London and a JD from Harvard Law, and has become an active and highly respected member of the global longevity biotech community.
In this episode, Chris and Michael explore Life Biosciences' groundbreaking approach to partial epigenetic reprogramming - the "holy grail" technology that could transform how we age at cellular, tissue, and organism levels. They discuss how this approach taps into the same biology that makes babies young, Life's lead therapeutic candidate ER-100 for eye diseases, and the "pipeline in a pill" concept at the core of the geroscience hypothesis: the idea that enable single interventions based on longevity science could treat multiple age-related diseases simultaneously.
The Finer Details:
The biology behind partial epigenetic reprogramming and how it differs from full reprogramming to pluripotency
Why Michael considers partial reprogramming the "holy grail" of longevity interventions
Life Biosciences' lead candidate ER-100 for glaucoma and NAION (non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy)
The innovative inducible system that allows the therapy to be turned on and off with doxycycline
Why the eye represents an ideal starting point for reprogramming therapies
The "pipeline in a pill" concept and geroscience hypothesis - how single interventions could treat multiple age-related diseases
Parallels between the emerging longevity field and the massive GLP-1 drug market that many pharma companies missed
The role of philanthropic investment in advancing fundamental longevity research
Evolutionary theories of aging and why aging should be easily manipulable
Timeline expectations for moving from single disease treatments to whole-body rejuvenation
Translating Aging 