From Lab to Life: Translating Ageing Science into Real-world Solutions with Professor Lorna Harries

Professor Lorna Harries has spent more than two decades studying why cells age and what might be done about it. In this episode, she explains one of the most overlooked mechanisms in ageing biology, RNA splicing. When cells lose control of this process, they become stressed, dysfunctional and can tip into senescence, a state that contributes to ageing across almost every organ system.

She explains what senescent cells actually do, how the signals they release can spread damage from one tissue to another, and why calling them “zombie cells” does not come close to telling the full story. We talk about the possibility of intervening before cells reach an irreversible state, why targeting the biology of ageing itself may matter more than tackling diseases one at a time, and what meaningful rejuvenation should really look like.

Prof Lorna also discusses the challenge of turning lab science into therapies through her spin-out SENISCA, her work with L’Oréal, and why conditions such as IPF are an important place to begin. Along the way, she addresses the tougher questions too, including how longevity science moves from promise to treatment, where the field risks drifting into hype, and whether these advances will be available to the many or only the few.

Links:

http://www.senisca/

http://www.iscarna.com/

https://teamrna.wixsite.com/harrieslab

https://experts.exeter.ac.uk/1873-lorna-harries

Innovate UK ICURe Programme

https://iuk-business-connect.org.uk/programme/icure/

00:00 Podcast Intro Guest Setup

01:50 Meet Professor Harris Basics

02:16 DNA RNA Explained

03:38 RNA Splicing And Ageing

05:48 What Senescent Cells Do

07:38 Reversing Senescence Window

09:01 Fat Tissue And Faster Ageing

11:01 Splicing As Central Hallmark

12:11 Rejuvenation Discovery Story

13:52 From Lab To Spinout Company

16:41 Translating Science To Products

19:17 Therapy Targets IPF And Beyond

21:45 Why Translation Often Fails

23:19 Defining Real Rejuvenation

25:14 Avoiding Hype In Longevity

27:17 Who Is Lagging Behind

27:37 Regulatory Mindset Shift

28:47 Trials Built for Ageing

29:28 Scepticism and Overhype

31:25 Is Ageing a Disease

32:49 Policy and Demographic Timebomb

33:48 Advocacy and Communication

35:24 Personal Ageing Habits

36:24 Key Unasked Questions

39:15 Longevity for the Rich

41:43 Access via NHS and Patents

45:06 Rapid Fire and Myths

49:05 Closing Reflections