The Fountain of Youth is Closer Than We Think Says Human Longevity Inc.'s Robert Hariri

 Regenerative Medicine  

According to stem cell expert, Dr. Robert Hariri the biology of a stem cell is akin to a computer, and we are now understanding how to reprogram it. Hariri suggests stem cell therapies will soon allow aging adults to stay healthy and functional for as long as possible.

In the TEDx talk above, Human Longevity Inc.'s Dr. Robert Hariri tells how stem cells may be the secret scientific ingredient that enables humans to live younger longer.

Human Longevity Inc, which was recently formed with J. Craig Venter and Peter Diamandis will use both genomics and stem cell therapies to find treatments that allow aging adults to stay healthy and functional for as long as possible.

"I believe that aging is a stem cell problem, related to a shift in the balance of undifferentiated, versatile to differentiated, specialized cells," says Hariri.

He talks of how bone marrow recipients and plastic surgery patients that have had adipose tissue injections can  achieve more youthful characteristics thanks to the introduction of stem cells into the affected areas, and the important proteins that they produce.

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"I think the solution here is to recharge the regenerative engine by replenishing the reservoir of stem cells that can restore that synthetic versatility," he claims.

Hariri concludes his talk by saying that, "The future use of stem cells can benefit from a new model describing functional similarities to computers." In this conception, the biological software resides in the DNA of the cell's nucleus; the cytosolic organelles that produce the proteins are the processor and the cell membrane with it's numerous receptors, serves as the keyboard.

"Reprogramming the biological software of stem cells is already happening and provides a platform for controlling their fate and behavior for biomedical purposes including longevity."

"Reprogramming the biological software of stem cells is already happening and provides a platform for controlling their fate and behavior for biomedical purposes including longevity," concludes Hariri.

Hariri is a surgeon, biomedical scientist and highly successful serial entrepreneur in two technology sectors: biomedicine and aerospace. The Chairman, Founder, Chief Scientific Officer, and former Chief Executive Officer of Celgene Cellular Therapeutics, one of the world’s largest human cellular therapeutics companies, Dr. Hariri has pioneered the use of stem cells to treat a range of life threatening diseases and has made transformative contributions in the field of tissue engineering.

His activities and experience includes academic neurosurgeon at Cornell, businessman, military surgeon and aviator and aerospace innovator. Dr. Hariri has over 90 issued and pending patents, has authored over 100 published chapters, articles and abstracts and is most recognized for his discovery of pluripotent stem cells from the placenta and as a member of the team which discovered the physiological activities of TNF (tumor necrosis factor).

Dr. Hariri was recipient of the Thomas Alva Edison Award in 2007 and 2011, The Fred J. Epstein Lifetime Achievement Award and has received numerous other honors for his many contributions to biomedicine and aviation. Dr. Hariri also serves on numerous Boards of Directors including Myos Corporation and Provista Diagnostics. Dr. Hariri is an Adjunct Associate Professor of Pathology at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine and a member of the Board of Visitors of the Columbia University School of Engineering & Applied Sciences and the Science & Technology Council of the College of Physicians and Surgeons, and is a member of the scientific advisory board for the Archon X PRIZE for Genomics, which is awarded by the X PRIZE Foundation. Dr. Hariri is also a Trustee of the Liberty Science Center and has been appointed Commissioner of Cancer Research by NJ Governor Christie. Dr. Hariri is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the J. Craig Venter Institute.

A jet-rated commercial pilot with thousands of hours of flight time in over 60 different military and civilian aircraft, Dr. Hariri has also produced several feature films as well as documentaries on global societal issues.


SOURCE  TEDx Talks

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