Catch-22
In the latest issue of Nature there is an article about a class of molecules that seems to extend the lifespan of yeast by down-regulating the p53 gene (a tumor suppressor) and blunting the trigger of apoptosis. (Whoopie for yeast!) It’s action mimics the life extending process that occurs with caloric restriction. The good news is that these chemicals occur in red wine. So instead of starving there’s the prospect that one could live long by enjoying a robust glass of Cabernet or Shiraz.
But there’s a hitch.
IBM sensing the future
I.B.M. Looks to Genetics to Map a New Business
IBM now has 150 PhDs on their life sciences division staff, and they’re not computer jocks. Big Blue jumped into life science about 5 or 6 years ago. They know that life science–from research to medicine to perhaps personal health care–will be one of biggest phenomena and most lucrative markets of the future.
Worm research sheds light on aging process
No, not the electronic worms we have been staving off lately…
The article linked here reports on research that focuses on worms because they, like humans and all other creatures, share the identical class of molecules — called “small heat shock proteins’.’
The newly discovered class of molecules plays a crucial caretaking role in cells: maintaining the shape of cellular proteins, on which all life forms are built.
These scientists genetically engineered worms to produce more of these proteins resulting in a doubling of the lifespan, qualitatively as well as quantitatively.
The full article will be available on the Web for a limited time: Mercury News
Look out, Silicon Valley
8-17, State: Is biotechnology corridor in making near Houston?
Houston, TX, is developing a potential “biotechnology corridor” drawing in life science companies using U Texas Health Science and NASA as foundation blocks. This follows a trend to see the future as requiring expertise in life science, not just electronics. Even in Silicon Valley a similar transformation is taking place. The alchemy of the ’90s can no longer transmute silicon alone into gold (i.e., IPOs, huge investments, high-paying jobs, etc.)
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