In this thought-provoking episode of Optispan, physicist and longevity researcher Dr. Jan Gruber offers a radical new perspective on why we age. Instead of focusing solely on damage accumulation or genetic programming, Gruber draws from physics and systems theory to explain ageing as an emergent property of complex biological systems.

Key Points:

Ageing may be an unavoidable result of complex systems becoming less stable over time. Dr. Jan Gruber challenges the conventional focus on damage and urges a shift toward improving system robustness. This physics-informed view could reshape how we understand and target ageing in the future.

• Ageing as a Thermodynamic Consequence of Complexity: Gruber proposes that ageing isn’t programmed or purely due to damage, but arises naturally from the increasing complexity and entropy in biological systems trying to maintain homeostasis over time.
• Beyond Damage- Stability and Failure in Biological Networks: He suggests that biological ageing reflects a progressive decline in the system’s ability to stabilize itself, where failure isn’t about specific damage but a broader loss of regulatory balance.
• Limitations of the “Damage-Repair” Paradigm: Traditional views that focus only on repairing damage may miss the bigger picture. Gruber argues that simply fixing damage does not necessarily prevent ageing because the root cause lies in how the system manages that damage.
• Longevity Interventions Must Target Systemic Robustness: Efforts to extend lifespan, according to Gruber, should focus on enhancing the overall stability and adaptability of biological systems—not just reducing cellular wear and tear.
• Hope for the Future- Engineering Ageing Resistance: While ageing may be a fundamental consequence of complexity, understanding it through the lens of physics could help scientists develop smarter interventions that support system-wide resilience and potentially delay age-related decline.