In this engaging episode of Moonshots, host Peter Diamandis welcomes Dr. David Sinclair, Harvard Medical School professor and author of Lifespan, to discuss the latest breakthroughs in age reversal. The conversation explores how science is moving from slowing ageing to actively reversing it—offering a hopeful glimpse into a future where disease, degeneration, and even ageing itself may be optional. 

Key Points:

David Sinclair discusses how ageing can be reversed by resetting the body’s epigenetic “software.” His lab’s breakthroughs—from restoring vision in mice to AI-powered drug discovery—are rapidly pushing age reversal toward human trials. With therapies possibly arriving within a decade, Sinclair envisions a future where growing old is no longer inevitable.

• Resetting the Epigenome: The Key to Reversing Ageing: Sinclair believes ageing stems from epigenetic "software" corruption, not just DNA damage. His lab has developed ways to reset this software—without cloning—using embryonic genes.
• Gene Therapy in Action-From Blind Mice to Humans: His team restored vision in mice and monkeys by reprogramming cells in the optic nerve. Human trials are expected soon via Life Biosciences.
• A Pill to Get Younger in 4 Weeks?: Using AI, Sinclair’s lab has identified small molecules that mimic gene therapy effects. In mice, a short 4-week oral treatment reversed ageing markers and behaviour.
• The Information Theory of Ageing: Sinclair proposes that ageing is a loss of biological information (epigenetic structure). By restoring the original structure, cells “remember” how to be young again.
• Longevity Escape Velocity Is Within Reach: Sinclair believes the first person to live to 150 has already been born. Technologies to repeatedly reset ageing may become routine within the next decade.
• AI Accelerates Discovery: His lab uses AI for everything—from drug discovery to predicting cell age from microscope images—compressing what once took years into weeks.
• Reprogramming Cancer & Senescent Cells: Sinclair’s lab shows epigenetic reprogramming can not only rejuvenate senescent (zombie) cells but also kill cancer cells by triggering self-destruction.
• Economic Case for Longevity: Harvard and Oxford researchers estimate a $86 trillion gain to the U.S. economy from just one extra year of healthy life, showing societal impact beyond medicine.
• Current Setbacks- Lab Defunding Crisis: Sinclair’s Harvard lab lost millions in federal funding, endangering projects like ALS research. He and Diamandis launched a fundraising appeal to keep the work going.
• Vision for the Future- A Personal Longevity Protocol: Sinclair shares his own routine—plant-based diet, exercise, supplements, and no alcohol—designed to keep him healthy until age-reversal therapies become mainstream.