Richard Farragher – Professor of Biogerontology – Improving Later Life Health Through an Understanding of the Mechanisms of Ageing

As a professor of biogerontology at the University of Brighton, Richard Farragher has served as Chair of the British Society for Research on Ageing and the International Association of Biomedical Gerontology. He joins the podcast today to discuss something that affects us all: the process of ageing. "Understanding how ageing works is a prerequisite to improving later life health," says Farragher. So, how does it work? While research efforts to answer this question are ongoing, Farragher believes that there are three primary mechanisms of ageing: the cessation of cell division (aka 'cellular senescence'), the decline in efficiency of nutrient recycling in the body, and the restriction of a DNA-based process referred to as 'slicing.' Farragher explains each one in detail and explores the ways in which they could be addressed in order to improve and prolong health. Farragher will be speaking at New Scientist Live in the UK this September, and is always happy to answer questions via email. Tune in for the full discussion.