meeting Archives | Misha Blagosklonny

Aging-US proudly sponsored the Future of Aging Research (FAR) Mixer 2025, hosted by the Aging Initiative on November 7 in Cambridge, MA, uniting students, researchers, and biotechnology leaders to advance aging research and shape a healthier, longer-lived future.

Highlights from the FAR Mixer 2025

The 2025 FAR Mixer featured keynote speaker Dr. Kristen Fortney, Co-Founder and CEO of BioAge Labs, who shared insights into how translational research and clinical pipelines have evolved over the past decade.

Dr. Fortney highlighted how obesity-targeting drugs are opening new avenues for metabolic and aging research. She explained that while obesity and osteoporosis are currently major therapeutic priorities, the next wave of reimbursable diseases will likely focus on muscle loss and chronic inflammation, reflecting their growing recognition as key factors in healthy aging.

She also emphasized the importance of human databases in target discovery, cross-sector partnerships between pharma and biotech, and the increasing focus on small-molecule interventions to address age-related diseases.

Focus talks showcased the diversity and depth of modern aging research:

Dr. Brad Manor (Senior scientist & Director of the Mobility and Falls Program at the Hinda & Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research, faculty member in medicine at Harvard Medical School, and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center) explained how balance and fall prevention in older adults are tightly linked to cognitive function, presenting dual-task gait assessments as meaningful biomarkers of brain health. These assessments measure how walking performance changes when combined with a thinking task, such as counting backward or naming words.

Dr. Manor also noted that noninvasive brain stimulation (tDCS) targeting cognitive-motor regions can enhance dual tasking and mobility in older adults, emphasizing the need for more precise and personalized applications in the future.

John Bailey (Head of hardware at Until Labs) discussed the challenges of cryopreservation, such as achieving sufficient cooling speed, temperature uniformity, and avoiding toxic concentrations of cryoprotectants. He then described recent innovations in medical hibernation and the development of advanced electromagnets for rewarming large cryopreserved samples; technology that could revolutionize organ donation and long-term tissue preservation.
José Luis Ricón (Head of Theory at Retro Biosciences) described how cell and tissue replacement strategies could extend healthy lifespan by targeting core mechanisms of aging. He explained that Retro’s approach focuses on developing interventions capable of stopping or even reversing disease progression, aiming for substantial and measurable improvements in health outcomes.
Dr. Martin Borch Jensen (CEO of Gordian Biotechnology) reflected on the challenges and promise of mosaic screening technologies for identifying interventions that could add years of healthy life.

The Biotech Investing & Startups Creation Panel featured Dr. Alex Colville (Co-founder and General Partner at age1 VC), Dr. Nabiha Saklayen (Co-Founder & CEO of Cellino Biotech) and Dr. Matthew Hammond (Partner at RA Capital Management). The discussion was centered around the future of venture investment in longevity, the role of AI in cell therapy manufacturing, and advice for young scientists entering the biotech field, emphasizing focus, resilience, and sustained enthusiasm.

Supporting Emerging Leaders in Aging Research

Nearly a hundred participants were present. Attendees included undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral researchers, alongside industry professionals and early-stage entrepreneurs. Many were returning participants from previous events, proof of a growing and dedicated community.

Through its sponsorship, Aging-US reaffirmed its mission to support and connect the next generation of aging researchers. The event extended networking opportunities, enabling attendees to exchange ideas and discuss new research directions.

The Aging Initiative, now officially recognized as a 501(c)(3) organization, continues to strengthen this community through programs such as journal clubs, lectures, and mentorship events. Future plans include participation in Massachusetts’s DRIVE Initiative (Discovery, Research, and Innovation for a Vibrant Economy) and organizing the upcoming NOVA Conference on the Neuroscience of Vitality and Aging in April 2026.

Our Commitment to Advancing Aging Research

Founded in 2008 by visionary scientists—the late Dr. Mikhail (Misha) Blagosklonny, the late Dr. Judith Campisi, and Dr. David Sinclair, Aging-US was created as a journal by scientists, for scientists, to publish innovative ideas and studies in the rapidly developing field of aging research. Since then, it has remained dedicated to advancing the understanding of aging and age-related diseases.

Supporting initiatives such as the Future of Aging Research Mixer 2025 reflects our belief that progress in aging science depends on collaboration, mentorship, and the open exchange of ideas between academia, industry, and young innovators. By investing in the next generation of researchers, we aim to accelerate discoveries that will lead to longer, healthier lives for all.

Sponsoring this initiative is more than an investment, it’s a commitment to the future of aging science and to the vision of a world where longevity and well-being advance hand in hand.

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Aging is indexed by PubMed/Medline (abbreviated as “Aging (Albany NY)”), PubMed Central, Web of Science: Science Citation Index Expanded (abbreviated as “Aging‐US” and listed in the Cell Biology and Geriatrics & Gerontology categories), Scopus (abbreviated as “Aging” and listed in the Cell Biology and Aging categories), Biological Abstracts, BIOSIS Previews, EMBASE, META (Chan Zuckerberg Initiative) (2018-2022), and Dimensions (Digital Science).

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For media inquiries, please contact [email protected].

Aging (Aging-US) was proud to sponsor the Muscle Aging Science & Translation (MAST) Symposium, organized by the Aging Initiative at Harvard University on Friday, April 18, 2025.

This important event brought together 350 participants—chosen from more than 1,300 applicants—including students, researchers, company founders, investors, and industry leaders. Together, they explored the latest research and innovations in muscle health and aging. The symposium reflected the journal’s strong commitment to supporting collaboration across fields and advancing research in aging.

-Key Highlights from the MAST Symposium-

Clinical Research Perspectives on Frailty

The symposium opened with a strong clinical session led by experts from top institutions: Dr. Roger Fielding (Tufts University and Boston Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center) and Drs. Douglas Kiel, Shivani Sahni, and Yi-Hsiang Hsu (Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center).

The panel discussed key topics such as the biology of frailty, how bone and muscle health are connected, and the influence of genetics, diet, and exercise on staying strong as we age. By blending real-life patient care with the latest research, the speakers shed light on the challenges of sarcopenia—the gradual loss of muscle strength and mass that occurs with age—and the new scientific approaches being developed to improve treatment.

Next-Generation Therapeutic Approaches

Lada Nuzhna, founder and CEO of Stealth Newco and director at Impetus Grants, shared her vision for advancing muscle health through innovation. With a strong focus on translational impact, she discussed her interest in developing a comprehensive program that combines various exerkines—exercise-induced signaling molecules—to improve muscle function.

Dr. Francisco Leport, co-founder and CEO of Gordian Biotechnology, introduced a new method for studying treatments for osteoarthritis, a common age-related joint condition that causes pain and stiffness. His approach, called in vivo pooled screening, allows scientists to test millions of potential therapies inside a single animal with the disease. This technique speeds up research and reduces the need for using multiple animals, helping to move from discovery to treatment more quickly.

Biotech and Drug Development for Muscle Aging

This panel brought together leading voices from Lilly (Dr. Andrew Adams), Novartis (Dr. Anne-Ulrike Trendelenburg), Regeneron (David Glass, MD), and Versanis Bio (Ken Attie, MD). Together, they explored therapeutic strategies focused not just on lifespan extension but on preserving mobility, muscle function, and independence as people age.

The discussion emphasized a human-centric approach to drug development, focusing on targeting mechanisms quickly and efficiently in clinical studies, and the importance of early intervention to achieve larger effect sizes and better long-term outcomes. Panelists also stressed that muscle function matters more than mass and highlighted how older individuals often experience a loss of mitochondrial function, leading to fatigue and reduced stamina—underscoring the need for programs that support mitochondrial health.

The panel further noted that nerve decline may precede muscle decline with age. While there is no definitive data linking cognitive and muscle function, improvements in vascular health through exercise were highlighted as a way to reduce inflammation and support overall health. In addition, they addressed the rise of GLP-1-based therapies, including the public health concern of weight regain following treatment.

Exercise Science for Muscle Longevity

This energizing final session featured Dr. Brad Schoenfeld from Lehman College and Dr. Jeff Nippard, a professional bodybuilder, powerlifter, and science communicator. Together they shared research-backed strategies for preserving muscle health at any age, emphasizing that it is never too late to start training and that even minimal, consistent exercise can significantly boost mobility and independence. They also recommended incorporating power and explosive movements into workouts and emphasized the importance of adequate leucine intake to support muscle health.

Driving Scientific Progress in Muscle and Aging Research

The MAST Symposium, like previous Aging Initiative at Harvard University events, showcased the power of interdisciplinary collaboration, mentorship, and early engagement in driving scientific progress. Aging (Aging-US) is proud to support initiatives that highlight the latest breakthroughs while inspiring younger generations to pursue meaningful careers in aging research.

From innovative drug development to accessible exercise interventions, the MAST Symposium emphasized the urgency and opportunity in addressing muscle aging—a key driver of health and independence in older adults.

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Founded in 2008 by visionary scientists—Dr. Mikhail (Misha) Blagosklonny, Dr. Judith Campisi, and Dr. David Sinclair—Aging (Aging-US) was created as a platform for publishing innovative and sometimes unconventional ideas in the rapidly evolving field of aging. Supporting events like the MAST Symposium is not just aligned with this mission—it reflects our long-term commitment to advancing aging science and empowering the next generation of researchers.

Click here to subscribe to publication updates.

For media inquiries, please contact [email protected].

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Aging-US Supports the Future of Aging Research Mixer 2025

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