Can aging be reversed? Dr. Michael West explains telomerase, cellular immortality, stem cells, tissue regeneration, and the future of longevity.

LifeCraft Sciences:
https://lifecraftsciences.com/

In this episode, I sit down with pioneering molecular gerontologist and biotechnology entrepreneur Dr. Michael D. West to explore telomeres, telomerase, cellular senescence, stem cells, tissue regeneration, and the possibility of reversing biological aging.

One of our central topics is the groundbreaking telomerase program West founded and led at Geron. That research helped establish how restoring telomerase activity can protect the ends of chromosomes and allow normal human cells to move beyond their usual replicative limit while retaining youthful characteristics in laboratory culture. We unpack what scientists mean when they say a cell has been “immortalized,” why cellular immortality is very different from making a person immortal, and how telomerase connects the biology of aging with the biology of cancer.

We also explore West’s work in regenerative medicine and his early vision of pluripotent stem cells as a “parts supply store” for the human body. Could youthful cells eventually be used to repair damaged tissues, replace worn-out biological components, and restore regenerative capabilities lost with age? West discusses the early isolation of human embryonic stem cells, therapeutic cloning, developmental reprogramming, and what cloned animals taught researchers about resetting cellular age.

Finally, we discuss LifeCraft Sciences and RESTORE, the company’s experimental approach combining telomerase with developmental regulators to return aged cells to a more youthful, regenerative state. It is a fascinating conversation about the history of longevity science, the future of tissue repair, and one of biology’s biggest questions: can aging eventually be reversed rather than merely slowed?