Key points from article :
Brown University scientists are exploring the biology of ageing to improve human health and extend the years people can live free from disease. The Center on the Biology of Aging, formally established in 2018, brings together researchers to study the biological mechanisms behind ageing and its links to chronic illnesses like cancer, cardiovascular disease, and dementia. Located near the Warren Alpert Medical School in Providence, Rhode Island, the center provides a collaborative space in a field that is growing rapidly.
The team focuses on identifying the processes and markers that explain why bodies age at different rates and become more susceptible to disease. Their research aims to shift medicine's focus from treating individual conditions to addressing ageing itself, with the hope of preventing multiple diseases at once. The ultimate goal is not merely to extend human lifespans but to enhance "health spans," ensuring people live longer, healthier lives with minimal disease.
This approach could lead to new treatments, such as single medications that target multiple ageing-related conditions, reducing the need for multiple therapies. By addressing the underlying mechanisms of ageing early, researchers hope to delay or prevent the onset of age-related diseases. The broader aim is to improve the quality of life in later years, emphasizing how well people live rather than how long. The center represents a significant step in rethinking medicine by targeting ageing as a root cause of many chronic conditions.
