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Engineering healthy aging, one stem cell at a time | Hartmut Geiger | TEDxLinz


so as you just have heard I’m a

so as you just have heard I’m a scientist

scientist

scientist by that motto human being so I will age

by that motto human being so I will age

by that motto human being so I will age and I will die one day

and I will die one day

and I will die one day not today and hopefully not tomorrow but

not today and hopefully not tomorrow but

not today and hopefully not tomorrow but one day I will be dead

one day I will be dead

one day I will be dead and I always told myself if I can live

and I always told myself if I can live

and I always told myself if I can live up to 90 years be healthy happy brain

up to 90 years be healthy happy brain

up to 90 years be healthy happy brain function is alive and I gonna die

function is alive and I gonna die

function is alive and I gonna die on the day after my 90th birthday I’m

on the day after my 90th birthday I’m

on the day after my 90th birthday I’m the happiest person on this planet in

the happiest person on this planet in

the happiest person on this planet in that I start thinking about it you know

that I start thinking about it you know

that I start thinking about it you know if I can stay healthy I’ll 290 and maybe

if I can stay healthy I’ll 290 and maybe

if I can stay healthy I’ll 290 and maybe I could stay until healthy until 100 why

I could stay until healthy until 100 why

I could stay until healthy until 100 why would I want to die you know there’s so

would I want to die you know there’s so

would I want to die you know there’s so much things to do and this is what got

much things to do and this is what got

much things to do and this is what got me thinking I love trains train stations

me thinking I love trains train stations

me thinking I love trains train stations public transportation I really like it

public transportation I really like it

public transportation I really like it and there’s a construction site for a

and there’s a construction site for a

and there’s a construction site for a high-speed train tracks close to where I

high-speed train tracks close to where I

high-speed train tracks close to where I live and now they cover defenses to the

live and now they cover defenses to the

live and now they cover defenses to the construction site with infotainment

construction site with infotainment

construction site with infotainment that’s the new thing you know if you

that’s the new thing you know if you

that’s the new thing you know if you work through and is displayed novel

work through and is displayed novel

work through and is displayed novel train concepts of the future like this

train concepts of the future like this

train concepts of the future like this one that also hyper loops on display and

one that also hyper loops on display and

one that also hyper loops on display and all of that everything futuristic and

all of that everything futuristic and

all of that everything futuristic and then I said ever think my gosh I would

then I said ever think my gosh I would

then I said ever think my gosh I would like to see which one the concepts will

like to see which one the concepts will

like to see which one the concepts will come true in a couple of years maybe in

come true in a couple of years maybe in

come true in a couple of years maybe in 50 years and I would like to see that I

50 years and I would like to see that I

50 years and I would like to see that I would like to stay alive or know which

would like to stay alive or know which

would like to stay alive or know which train I’m gonna ride in 50 years and now

train I’m gonna ride in 50 years and now

train I’m gonna ride in 50 years and now also like I also like Rockets really

also like I also like Rockets really

also like I also like Rockets really Rockets okay

Rockets okay

Rockets okay so I would like to see Rockets flying

so I would like to see Rockets flying

so I would like to see Rockets flying people to Mars I really like see that

people to Mars I really like see that

people to Mars I really like see that okay same and also as you know I’m a

okay same and also as you know I’m a

okay same and also as you know I’m a scientist I really would like to see

scientist I really would like to see

scientist I really would like to see what science brings us in the next

what science brings us in the next

what science brings us in the next couple of years you know still my

couple of years you know still my

couple of years you know still my curiosity and and and be able to

curiosity and and and be able to

curiosity and and and be able to experience that and if I could hold on

experience that and if I could hold on

experience that and if I could hold on to my health

to my health

to my health would I not want to be long around the

would I not want to be long around the

would I not want to be long around the people I really love that I cherish

people I really love that I cherish

people I really love that I cherish maybe even those are the people that

maybe even those are the people that

maybe even those are the people that challenge me

challenge me

challenge me and I think we have all that in common

and I think we have all that in common

and I think we have all that in common there’s something about future in the

there’s something about future in the

there’s something about future in the future that we would like to see

future that we would like to see

future that we would like to see encounter feel or be with that has

encounter feel or be with that has

encounter feel or be with that has meaning to us and that would be worth

meaning to us and that would be worth

meaning to us and that would be worth living for longer if you could do that

living for longer if you could do that

living for longer if you could do that in good health so mother nature is

in good health so mother nature is

in good health so mother nature is actually pretty cool she starts to

actually pretty cool she starts to

actually pretty cool she starts to fulfill in part these dreams are ready

fulfill in part these dreams are ready

fulfill in part these dreams are ready so the demographic development tells us

so the demographic development tells us

so the demographic development tells us that a lot of people they become more

that a lot of people they become more

that a lot of people they become more than a hundred years old in the next

than a hundred years old in the next

than a hundred years old in the next couple of decades and the new normal

couple of decades and the new normal

couple of decades and the new normal will be that on average people will

will be that on average people will

will be that on average people will become 90 years old and the good thing

become 90 years old and the good thing

become 90 years old and the good thing is you don’t have to do anything about

is you don’t have to do anything about

is you don’t have to do anything about it it just happens that’s how the M

it it just happens that’s how the M

it it just happens that’s how the M demography works mother nature also

demography works mother nature also

demography works mother nature also forgot a small part smart piece in the

forgot a small part smart piece in the

forgot a small part smart piece in the whole equation usually she does not

whole equation usually she does not

whole equation usually she does not allow us to age in good health so you

allow us to age in good health so you

allow us to age in good health so you know all about these diseases that

know all about these diseases that

know all about these diseases that people get when they get older like my

people get when they get older like my

people get when they get older like my grandmother or even recently my mother

grandmother or even recently my mother

grandmother or even recently my mother that’s not good and you all know loved

that’s not good and you all know loved

that’s not good and you all know loved ones yourself that come down with these

ones yourself that come down with these

ones yourself that come down with these diseases and how much pain that is and

diseases and how much pain that is and

diseases and how much pain that is and how much the quality of life is not

how much the quality of life is not

how much the quality of life is not delivered so is then this concept of

delivered so is then this concept of

delivered so is then this concept of becoming old and healthy staying healthy

becoming old and healthy staying healthy

becoming old and healthy staying healthy just a fantasy or is there something

just a fantasy or is there something

just a fantasy or is there something real to it can we do something about it

real to it can we do something about it

real to it can we do something about it so my interest in this research aging

so my interest in this research aging

so my interest in this research aging research anti-aging research started

research anti-aging research started

research anti-aging research started when I was already a student so all

when I was already a student so all

when I was already a student so all living organisms are made out of small

living organisms are made out of small

living organisms are made out of small autonomous units they’re called cells

autonomous units they’re called cells

autonomous units they’re called cells everybody I drove

everybody I drove

everybody I drove might have heard about them and these

might have heard about them and these

might have heard about them and these cells different type of cells form

cells different type of cells form

cells different type of cells form together organs tissues and it er all

together organs tissues and it er all

together organs tissues and it er all human beings and at that time I was

human beings and at that time I was

human beings and at that time I was interested if he could make young cells

interested if he could make young cells

interested if he could make young cells from young people even younger can we

from young people even younger can we

from young people even younger can we build time machines for cells and I

build time machines for cells and I

build time machines for cells and I still remember that very moment sitting

still remember that very moment sitting

still remember that very moment sitting at my desk looking at an auto radiograph

at my desk looking at an auto radiograph

at my desk looking at an auto radiograph with certain bands on it that’s how

with certain bands on it that’s how

with certain bands on it that’s how scientists do that and the certain

scientists do that and the certain

scientists do that and the certain pattern told me yes it is possible it is

pattern told me yes it is possible it is

pattern told me yes it is possible it is possible to make young cells younger and

possible to make young cells younger and

possible to make young cells younger and although at that time again was only

although at that time again was only

although at that time again was only young cells making younger they got me

young cells making younger they got me

young cells making younger they got me hooked on this topic I think we can

hooked on this topic I think we can

hooked on this topic I think we can build time machines for cells so when I

build time machines for cells so when I

build time machines for cells so when I became an independent researcher I then

became an independent researcher I then

became an independent researcher I then started to dream about the ultimate time

started to dream about the ultimate time

started to dream about the ultimate time machine can we made eight cells younger

machine can we made eight cells younger

machine can we made eight cells younger can we really achieve that can we build

can we really achieve that can we build

can we really achieve that can we build time machines that are able to do so and

time machines that are able to do so and

time machines that are able to do so and I decided to focus on a very specific

I decided to focus on a very specific

I decided to focus on a very specific type of cell which is called stem cell

type of cell which is called stem cell

type of cell which is called stem cell somatic stem cell why’s that so specific

somatic stem cell why’s that so specific

somatic stem cell why’s that so specific or so special a stem cell our body

or so special a stem cell our body

or so special a stem cell our body consists out of 30 trillion cells that’s

consists out of 30 trillion cells that’s

consists out of 30 trillion cells that’s a 10 with 13 zeros there’s a lot of

a 10 with 13 zeros there’s a lot of

a 10 with 13 zeros there’s a lot of cells and every day you me you me lose

cells and every day you me you me lose

cells and every day you me you me lose 200 billions of these cells due to

200 billions of these cells due to

200 billions of these cells due to attrition it’s primarily blood cells

attrition it’s primarily blood cells

attrition it’s primarily blood cells skin cells and skin cells in your

skin cells and skin cells in your

skin cells and skin cells in your intestine get just one hour we don’t

intestine get just one hour we don’t

intestine get just one hour we don’t need them anymore and it’s dangerous to

need them anymore and it’s dangerous to

need them anymore and it’s dangerous to keep them longer in the body and they

keep them longer in the body and they

keep them longer in the body and they need to be replaced

need to be replaced

need to be replaced 200 billion it’s a 10 with 11 zeros how

200 billion it’s a 10 with 11 zeros how

200 billion it’s a 10 with 11 zeros how do we actually do that so nature

do we actually do that so nature

do we actually do that so nature invented also very clever system it’s

invented also very clever system it’s

invented also very clever system it’s called the stem cell that allows us to

called the stem cell that allows us to

called the stem cell that allows us to do that healthy happy

do that healthy happy

do that healthy happy not Victor dangers come usually from

not Victor dangers come usually from

not Victor dangers come usually from other systems to do so stem cells to

other systems to do so stem cells to

other systems to do so stem cells to only bear the information to make all of

only bear the information to make all of

only bear the information to make all of these cells that were gonna lose his

these cells that were gonna lose his

these cells that were gonna lose his blood cells or this immune type of cells

blood cells or this immune type of cells

blood cells or this immune type of cells and they pass on his information and

and they pass on his information and

and they pass on his information and give the duty to daughters and sons of

give the duty to daughters and sons of

give the duty to daughters and sons of them that then multiply very rapidly and

them that then multiply very rapidly and

them that then multiply very rapidly and replace all of the cells gone but these

replace all of the cells gone but these

replace all of the cells gone but these other daughters they also have a finite

other daughters they also have a finite

other daughters they also have a finite lifespan because making this replication

lifespan because making this replication

lifespan because making this replication very often can be dangerous you can get

very often can be dangerous you can get

very often can be dangerous you can get cancer at the end so the stem cell keeps

cancer at the end so the stem cell keeps

cancer at the end so the stem cell keeps to information and manages the system

to information and manages the system

to information and manages the system it’s the manager of the tissue the work

it’s the manager of the tissue the work

it’s the manager of the tissue the work is done by others but keeps a manager

is done by others but keeps a manager

is done by others but keeps a manager happy and healthy for a very long time

happy and healthy for a very long time

happy and healthy for a very long time and initially people thought that mean

and initially people thought that mean

and initially people thought that mean pristine for forever

pristine for forever

pristine for forever that would mean although year 60 or 50

that would mean although year 60 or 50

that would mean although year 60 or 50 you stem cells are still 20 and 30 and

you stem cells are still 20 and 30 and

you stem cells are still 20 and 30 and that was wrong cause us stem cells start

that was wrong cause us stem cells start

that was wrong cause us stem cells start to age they changed a function over time

to age they changed a function over time

to age they changed a function over time and they cannot manage the system

and they cannot manage the system

and they cannot manage the system anymore so for these blood-forming stem

anymore so for these blood-forming stem

anymore so for these blood-forming stem cells that has real consequences when

cells that has real consequences when

cells that has real consequences when they become older they also make all the

they become older they also make all the

they become older they also make all the immune cells that means when you get

immune cells that means when you get

immune cells that means when you get older you’d get more infections you’re

older you’d get more infections you’re

older you’d get more infections you’re getting more likely to flu and it’s much

getting more likely to flu and it’s much

getting more likely to flu and it’s much more difficult to get rid of the flu and

more difficult to get rid of the flu and

more difficult to get rid of the flu and there’s still a lot of elderly people

there’s still a lot of elderly people

there’s still a lot of elderly people just die from flu and complications on

just die from flu and complications on

just die from flu and complications on top of it he also will more likely get

top of it he also will more likely get

top of it he also will more likely get cancer blood that cancers when you get

cancer blood that cancers when you get

cancer blood that cancers when you get aged do you do stem cells or not working

aged do you do stem cells or not working

aged do you do stem cells or not working properly anymore and there’s even new

properly anymore and there’s even new

properly anymore and there’s even new research it’s just very exciting that

research it’s just very exciting that

research it’s just very exciting that would imply that problems if too hard

would imply that problems if too hard

would imply that problems if too hard when you get older are – – problems –

when you get older are – – problems –

when you get older are – – problems – your stem cells in the blood that form

your stem cells in the blood that form

your stem cells in the blood that form the blood so there are real consequences

the blood so there are real consequences

the blood so there are real consequences and it looks like that aging of stem

and it looks like that aging of stem

and it looks like that aging of stem cells seems to be in the way of healthy

cells seems to be in the way of healthy

cells seems to be in the way of healthy aging

so why do stem cells say is how we can

so why do stem cells say is how we can explain that they age cells consists of

explain that they age cells consists of

explain that they age cells consists of a lot of units parts they are very

a lot of units parts they are very

a lot of units parts they are very complicated entities within a cell we

complicated entities within a cell we

complicated entities within a cell we have probably a hundred thousand

have probably a hundred thousand

have probably a hundred thousand different units DNA RNA proteins lipids

different units DNA RNA proteins lipids

different units DNA RNA proteins lipids are they called and they usually come in

are they called and they usually come in

are they called and they usually come in multiple copies that means a cell has

multiple copies that means a cell has

multiple copies that means a cell has probably 1 million parts in itself 1

probably 1 million parts in itself 1

probably 1 million parts in itself 1 million a car for example is only 30,000

million a car for example is only 30,000

million a car for example is only 30,000 parts and these parts in the cell form

parts and these parts in the cell form

parts and these parts in the cell form larger units machines that are very

larger units machines that are very

larger units machines that are very critical to for example generate energy

critical to for example generate energy

critical to for example generate energy for a cell or make new machines that

for a cell or make new machines that

for a cell or make new machines that make proteins for a cell or help you to

make proteins for a cell or help you to

make proteins for a cell or help you to protect your genetic information or make

protect your genetic information or make

protect your genetic information or make its genetic information accessible so

its genetic information accessible so

its genetic information accessible so the structure and order of these

the structure and order of these

the structure and order of these machines and other parts in a Cell

machines and other parts in a Cell

machines and other parts in a Cell working together is very critical

working together is very critical

working together is very critical pivotal for a stem cell to function

pivotal for a stem cell to function

pivotal for a stem cell to function correctly like shown here this is a stem

correctly like shown here this is a stem

correctly like shown here this is a stem cell that’s real life data from the

cell that’s real life data from the

cell that’s real life data from the laboratory the red one is one piece of a

laboratory the red one is one piece of a

laboratory the red one is one piece of a machine the green one is one piece of a

machine the green one is one piece of a

machine the green one is one piece of a machine they have order and structure

machine they have order and structure

machine they have order and structure it’s like real life correct should be at

it’s like real life correct should be at

it’s like real life correct should be at least sometimes ok

now over time what happens to the stem

now over time what happens to the stem cell why it’s becoming aged why is not

cell why it’s becoming aged why is not

cell why it’s becoming aged why is not functional non-management anymore and

functional non-management anymore and

functional non-management anymore and the most obvious happens it will start

the most obvious happens it will start

the most obvious happens it will start to put disorder into the system ok so

to put disorder into the system ok so

to put disorder into the system ok so it’s not that parts are damaged it’s

it’s not that parts are damaged it’s

it’s not that parts are damaged it’s just that they don’t find a place

just that they don’t find a place

just that they don’t find a place anymore where they belong to again it’s

anymore where they belong to again it’s

anymore where they belong to again it’s like real life correct

like real life correct

like real life correct okay I can tell you it’s not then the

okay I can tell you it’s not then the

okay I can tell you it’s not then the sale the parts are all over that’s also

sale the parts are all over that’s also

sale the parts are all over that’s also real-life data okay you see green is

real-life data okay you see green is

real-life data okay you see green is everywhere red is everywhere okay

everywhere red is everywhere okay

everywhere red is everywhere okay disorder and that sometimes like my

disorder and that sometimes like my

disorder and that sometimes like my office and you mean overtime precisely

office and you mean overtime precisely

office and you mean overtime precisely that happens you’ve started your books

that happens you’ve started your books

that happens you’ve started your books everywhere

everywhere

everywhere you cannot organize anything anymore if

you cannot organize anything anymore if

you cannot organize anything anymore if somebody comes in and asks you where is

somebody comes in and asks you where is

somebody comes in and asks you where is the math book

the math book

the math book you don’t know anymore correct so while

you don’t know anymore correct so while

you don’t know anymore correct so while you’re still able to do the managing

you’re still able to do the managing

you’re still able to do the managing function probably in part like stem

function probably in part like stem

function probably in part like stem cells will do when they age you will

cells will do when they age you will

cells will do when they age you will take a lot of more energy to get the

take a lot of more energy to get the

take a lot of more energy to get the system going and you definitely will

system going and you definitely will

system going and you definitely will make more mistakes like H stem cells do

now you also learned them in a messy

now you also learned them in a messy correct that just told you that so and

correct that just told you that so and

correct that just told you that so and in that I would not be able to manage my

in that I would not be able to manage my

in that I would not be able to manage my laboratory very well anymore okay and it

laboratory very well anymore okay and it

laboratory very well anymore okay and it turned out within H stem cells there’s

turned out within H stem cells there’s

turned out within H stem cells there’s also the messy person it’s called a

also the messy person it’s called a

also the messy person it’s called a protein a messy protein and we gave it a

protein a messy protein and we gave it a

protein a messy protein and we gave it a name cdc42 you don’t have ever to

name cdc42 you don’t have ever to

name cdc42 you don’t have ever to remember that but the important part is

remember that but the important part is

remember that but the important part is it turned out that’s not becoming lazy

it turned out that’s not becoming lazy

it turned out that’s not becoming lazy when the stem cell gets age not lazy and

when the stem cell gets age not lazy and

when the stem cell gets age not lazy and not disorganized

not disorganized

not disorganized it’s become hyperactive that’s the

it’s become hyperactive that’s the

it’s become hyperactive that’s the interesting but hyperactive upon aging

interesting but hyperactive upon aging

interesting but hyperactive upon aging okay

okay

okay it cannot focus on stuff anymore it’s

it cannot focus on stuff anymore it’s

it cannot focus on stuff anymore it’s doing this just using this and that’s

doing this just using this and that’s

doing this just using this and that’s also like real life correct so we have

also like real life correct so we have

also like real life correct so we have people running around doing a lot of

people running around doing a lot of

people running around doing a lot of things at the end of the day nothing is

things at the end of the day nothing is

things at the end of the day nothing is done luckily collaborators developed a

done luckily collaborators developed a

done luckily collaborators developed a drug a compound that is able to tame the

drug a compound that is able to tame the

drug a compound that is able to tame the hyperactivity of this protein it’s like

hyperactivity of this protein it’s like

hyperactivity of this protein it’s like yoga for stem cells and then and then

yoga for stem cells and then and then

yoga for stem cells and then and then really it settles down to the level of a

really it settles down to the level of a

really it settles down to the level of a normal active protein and then the real

normal active protein and then the real

normal active protein and then the real magic happens

magic happens

magic happens it’s

it’s

it’s yeah so this is the magic part okay when

yeah so this is the magic part okay when

yeah so this is the magic part okay when the protein had settled in again even if

the protein had settled in again even if

the protein had settled in again even if the stem cell is aged it starts to

the stem cell is aged it starts to

the stem cell is aged it starts to restructure itself again all the books

restructure itself again all the books

restructure itself again all the books put on shelves again all the machines

put on shelves again all the machines

put on shelves again all the machines seem to reassemble and work together

seem to reassemble and work together

seem to reassemble and work together again in a very proper function so you

again in a very proper function so you

again in a very proper function so you can switch from this disorder to order

can switch from this disorder to order

can switch from this disorder to order just by using this drug and you regain

just by using this drug and you regain

just by using this drug and you regain also the useful function of this stem

also the useful function of this stem

also the useful function of this stem cell so for example it will now produce

cell so for example it will now produce

cell so for example it will now produce better immune cells again although it’s

better immune cells again although it’s

better immune cells again although it’s old and will allow you to fight

old and will allow you to fight

old and will allow you to fight infections better and this is per the

infections better and this is per the

infections better and this is per the first way that biology can support

first way that biology can support

first way that biology can support healthy aging now this finding it’s a

healthy aging now this finding it’s a

healthy aging now this finding it’s a small one I think in research but has

small one I think in research but has

small one I think in research but has broad implications for whole biology and

broad implications for whole biology and

broad implications for whole biology and that would mean aging is a very simple

that would mean aging is a very simple

that would mean aging is a very simple process initially it’s like organization

process initially it’s like organization

process initially it’s like organization this organization and you can put that

this organization and you can put that

this organization and you can put that back it’s not irreversible what happens

back it’s not irreversible what happens

back it’s not irreversible what happens upon aging and you can target it by

upon aging and you can target it by

upon aging and you can target it by certain biological mechanisms in this

certain biological mechanisms in this

certain biological mechanisms in this way a drug and it’s not only lifestyle

way a drug and it’s not only lifestyle

way a drug and it’s not only lifestyle or exercise that you can help help you

or exercise that you can help help you

or exercise that you can help help you to become this healthy aging person that

to become this healthy aging person that

to become this healthy aging person that mean it’s not a one-way road and we can

mean it’s not a one-way road and we can

mean it’s not a one-way road and we can profit from that so healthy aging is

profit from that so healthy aging is

profit from that so healthy aging is worth pursuing it’s not a fantasy in the

worth pursuing it’s not a fantasy in the

worth pursuing it’s not a fantasy in the head of a couple of people mother nature

head of a couple of people mother nature

head of a couple of people mother nature biology would allow us to do that and

biology would allow us to do that and

biology would allow us to do that and data I’ve shown you is from the mouse

data I’ve shown you is from the mouse

data I’ve shown you is from the mouse but is also clear that as might work for

but is also clear that as might work for

but is also clear that as might work for human beings at the end allow healthy

human beings at the end allow healthy

human beings at the end allow healthy aging for human beings and that might

aging for human beings and that might

aging for human beings and that might mean that maybe our children or our

mean that maybe our children or our

mean that maybe our children or our grandchildren will be able to see self

grandchildren will be able to see self

grandchildren will be able to see self flying cars

flying cars

flying cars or people taking extended vacation on

or people taking extended vacation on

or people taking extended vacation on Mars because they can hold on to their

Mars because they can hold on to their

Mars because they can hold on to their health and see all of that in their

health and see all of that in their

health and see all of that in their lifetime in the meantime though I will

lifetime in the meantime though I will

lifetime in the meantime though I will keep dreaming about fancy trains hanging

keep dreaming about fancy trains hanging

keep dreaming about fancy trains hanging out with my great-grandchildren and will

out with my great-grandchildren and will

out with my great-grandchildren and will not stop though to work on finding ways

not stop though to work on finding ways

not stop though to work on finding ways to reorganize stem cells that at the end

to reorganize stem cells that at the end

to reorganize stem cells that at the end will based on research today allow us to

will based on research today allow us to

will based on research today allow us to have healthy aging for our children our

have healthy aging for our children our

have healthy aging for our children our grandchildren

grandchildren

grandchildren thank you

thank you

thank you [Applause]

[Applause]

[Applause] [Music]

[Music]

[Music] [Applause]

”

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