Can Old Cells Become Young Again? Senolytics & Reprogramming | Kira Labs

Can we make older cells function more like younger ones? In episode two of Kira Labs: Now & Next, I explore cellular rejuvenation research—and the important difference between removing senescent cells and partially reprogramming living cells. Explore Kira Labs: https://kiralabs.org/ Research and Healthspan Lab: https://kiralabs.org/research.html I'm Robert McMurrer, founder of Kira Labs. This episode follows the science from the discovery of cellular reprogramming and Yamanaka factors to mouse vision experiments, Salk's aging research, and the early human ER-100 study for optic nerve diseases. We also revisit senescent “zombie” cells and PCC1, the grape-seed compound behind attention-grabbing longevity headlines. What did the experiments actually measure, what limitations matter, and what would count as meaningful progress in people? IN THIS EPISODE • Senolytics versus partial epigenetic reprogramming • DNA, the epigenome, and cell identity • Yamanaka factors and OSK research • Mouse studies versus human evidence • ER-100: an early trial milestone, not proof of whole-body age reversal • PCC1 and the journal's expression of concern • Safety, lasting benefits, and the questions still unanswered • How Healthspan Lab helps organize the research Which possibility interests you most: preserving vision, repairing damaged tissue, or understanding how cells age? Leave a comment and subscribe for more Kira Labs research videos. ABOUT THIS VIDEO Created and presented by Robert McMurrer / Kira Labs. Educational information, not personal medical advice. Research reviewed for this episode: September 21, 2026. Trial information and evidence may change. SOURCES AND FURTHER READING Takahashi and Yamanaka, Cell (2006) — Foundational cellular reprogramming: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16904174/ Ocampo et al., Cell (2016) — Partial reprogramming in mice: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27984723/ Lu et al., Nature (2020) — Epigenetic reprogramming and mouse vision research: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33268865/ Browder et al., Nature Aging (2022) — Partial reprogramming in normally aging mice: https://www.nature.com/articles/s43587-022-00183-2 Salk Institute — Explanation of its mouse research: https://www.salk.edu/news-release/cellular-rejuvenation-therapy-safely-reverses-signs-of-aging-in-mice/ Life Biosciences — ER-100 first-participant announcement (sponsor report): https://www.lifebiosciences.com/life-biosciences-announces-first-patient-dosed-in-phase-1-trial-of-er-100-for-optic-neuropathies/ ClinicalTrials.gov — ER-100 study record: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07290244 NIH Common Fund — Cellular Senescence Network: https://commonfund.nih.gov/multimedia/videos/nih-common-fund-cellular-senescence-network-sennet-program PCC1 mouse study and the journal's expression of concern: https://www.nature.com/articles/s42255-021-00491-8 https://www.nature.com/articles/s42255-026-01487-y Healthspan Lab research software: https://github.com/rmcmurrer81/healthspan-lab #Longevity #CellularRejuvenation #KiraLabs