1. Human Immortality

2. Abstract What would it be like to live forever?
What if you never have to witness your loved ones die from old age?
What if you never have to suffer from the effects of the aging process?

3. Is there a limit to human lifespan or is human immortality possible?
Big Question
Is there a limit to human lifespan or is human immortality possible?
Jeanne Calment ( )

4. Theory
The genetic clock in healthy somatic cells can become reset via telomerase therapy, eventually resulting in human immortality.

5. Life Expectancy 13% of population over 65 years old
Average life expectancy: 78 years

6. Telomeres, Telomerase, & Aging
Number of times a human cell can divide dictates the length of human lifespan
Telomeres, or repetitive DNA sequences at the ends of chromosomes, protect against damage
Telomerase maintains telomere length

7. Purpose
To design prodrug that activates hTERT expression in somatic cells, increasing telomere length and stopping cellular aging while eliminating cancer risk
Figure 1: Influence of hTERT expression in cells.

8. Prodrug Design
Controls telomerase activity via inhibition or activation of hTERT expression in both normal and cancerous cells
Oral medication
More effective, less invasive way to administer drugs

9. Methods
Investigations into the toxicity, potency, and bioavailability of the novel drug candidate
Experiments performed in vitro
Drug Toxicity
Effects on Cancer Cells
Potency in Human Somatic Cells

10. Drug Toxicity
Drug introduced into cell lines into three sets of embryonic stem-cell cultures, altering the dosages over different lengths of time
Control groups contained stem cells not exposed to the drug
Each sample was run through a mass spectrometer, which measured concentrations of the molecules present in culture

11. Drug Effect on Cancer Cells
Figure 2: MTT assay to determine the sensitivity of different cancerous cells to hTERT prodrug.

12. Drug Potency in Human Somatic Cells
Figure 3: Results of potency of hTERT expression in somatic cells.

13. Results Drug exhibits low toxicity
Inhibits hTERT expression in cancer cells
Shows strong potency in muscle, bone, and brain cells in vitro

14. Discussion Current telomerase activators (Ta-65)
Social and economic implications
Better quality of life
Small impact on global population
Reduced medical spending
Future research
Clinical Trials
Other areas for telomerase therapy
Other current

15. References
Agostara B., Carruba, G. & Usset, A. (2008). The management of cancer in the elderly: targeted therapies in oncology. Immunity & Ageing, 5:16.
Ershler, William (2003). Cancer: A Disease of the Elderly. The Journal of Supportive Oncology, 1, 5-10.
Shay, J., & Woodring W. (2005). Senescence and immortalization: role of telomeres and telomerase. Carcinogenesis, 26(5):