"I finally adopted what I called 'Great Thoughts Time.' When I went to lunch Friday noon, I would only discuss great thoughts after that. By great thoughts I mean ones like: 'What will be the role of computers in all of AT&T?', 'How will computers change science?'" – Richard Hamming, You and Your Research
Here are some of the big open questions I see in aging science right now:
- Cause and effect of why we age still unknown? New paradigm may be needed?
- What can partial reprogramming do?
- How to stave off neuron loss in the brain?
- How to slow or reverse damage in DNA, epigenome, proteome and cell homeostasis?
- What do DNA methylation clocks really reflect?
- What is the best way to measure in vivo aging?
- How to test effectiveness of new aging therapies on humans?
- How to use massive new datasets?
- How to get more talented people into the space?
- How much of a role does inflammation have in aging? How much could reduction of excessive inflammation lead to longevity?
- What are we learning from the iPSC programming startups and experiments?
- Does young blood work? Why and how?
- What is Michael Snyder doing?
- How do longer lived organisms reduce cell mutation rate? Can you replicate this in mice and see life extension? (See Cagan et al, 2022)
- How to keep zest for life past 100? Avoid reduction in dopamine signaling and increased depression?
Of critical importance is identifying the right questions and focusing very aggressively and directly on them. I expect this list above will change dramatically as I pursue this field. I hope to make fast enough progress such that I'm embarrassed by this list within a few months.