LEVITY Episode 3 - Linus Petersson: This is how we solve aging

Like, subscribe and - very important - hit the notification bell. THANK YOU! This show is also available at: Spotify, Apple Podcasts or where you listen to podcasts. Detailed show notes here: peterottsjo.beehiiv.com I started paying close attention to aging biology and longevity around ten years ago. At that time, in Sweden, it felt kinda lonely. There was no big sprawling community of longevity enthusiasts back then. That’s how it felt to me anyway. But certain names consistently appeared in my research. One that stood out was Linus Petersson. And he probably felt the same way. Linus Petersson, a technical biology engineer, has just recently co-founded of the Swedish Longevity Cluster and he’s on a mission to get as many people as possible interested in and working on the problem of solving aging. And not only that, he’s also written a book that is coming out very soon. It’s called *Läkemedel mot åldrande: Hur modern vetenskap ger oss obegränsad livslängd*. In English that would translate to *Medicine against aging: How modern science gives us unlimited lifespan*. In this episode, we dive deep into the world of longevity research. Linus brings a unique perspective to the field, combining his background in pharmaceutical development with a passionate advocacy for prolonging life indefinitely. We talk about the hallmarks of aging, drugs like rapamycin and metformin and cutting-edge approaches like growing non-sentient bodies for transplantation. He argues compellingly for classifying aging as a disease and offers insights into the economic and societal impacts of increased healthspans. Linus addresses common concerns like overpopulation and societal stagnation with data-driven responses. He also discusses the role of AI in longevity research and the urgent need for more talent and resources in the field. Whether you're a science enthusiast, a healthcare professional, or simply curious about the future of human longevity, this episode offers a fascinating glimpse into the forefront of anti-aging research. And I don't feel lonely anymore because the Swedish Longevity Cluster has not only brought together enthusiasts and researchers, but has also ignited a broader interest in longevity science across Sweden, creating the sprawling community I once yearned for. I am sure Linus would agree with me. But there is lots more work to do. LEVITY is a podcast offering high-quality, science-informed editorial content focused on aging science and radical life extension. This includes discussions on biotechnology, geroscience, lifestyle, ethical considerations of life extension, healthcare innovations, and AI in drug discovery, among many other topics. Our mission is to explore and communicate the scientific and societal pathways toward solving aging. LEVITY is co-hosted by Peter Ottsjö and Dr. Patrick Linden. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 13:09 What is the Swedish Longevity Cluster? 20:31 Linus' new book 24:52 Is Aging a Disease? 29:21 Understanding Aging and Its Effects 34:55 The Hallmarks of Aging 42:50 The Need for a Better Understanding of Aging 46:08 The Need For A Better Model Of The Cell 49:13 The Role of AI 54:22 The Role of AI in Longevity 58:18 Democratization of Science through AI 59:53 Developing Drugs for Aging 01:05:27 Biomarkers of Aging 01:10:00 Biomarkers of Aging for Individuals 01:20:35 Small Molecules Will Only Take Us so Far 01:25:35 Why Do We Need a Replacement Strategy? 01:31:10 The Challenges of Bioengineering 01:33:36 Growing Non-Sentient Bodies and Full Body Transplants 01:34:57 Replacement Approach vs. Bioengineering Approach 01:35:41 Proof of Concept and PR Challenges 01:36:32 Ethical Concerns and Public Perception of Replacement 01:40:13 Progress and Challenges in Drug Development 01:42:41 Label Expansion and Clinical Trials 01:45:23 The TAME Study 01:48:45 The Myth of Overpopulation 01:57:04 The Myth of Stagnation 02:02:12 The Staggering Number of People Dying Everyday from Aging 02:05:39 Economic Value and Policy Interventions 02:12:06 Solve Aging 2.0 02:13:53 Continuing the Conversation 02:14:05 How to get in touch with Linus