MORE THAN
LIFE EXTENSION
MORE THAN
LIFE EXTENSION
Longevity science seeks to extend both lifespan—the total number of years a person lives—and healthspan—the years lived in good health, free from chronic disease and disability.
A longer lifespan offers the possibility of more time for personal fulfillment, relationships, and contribution to society, while extending healthspan ensures that those additional years are enjoyed with cognitive clarity, and physical independence. The two goals are deeply interconnected: A longer life is only meaningful when it is accompanied by sustained well-being, making the dual pursuit of lifespan and healthspan central to the mission of longevity science.
We’re not just adding years to life.
We’re adding life to years.
SOLVING A GLOBAL AGING CRISIS
As global populations age, societies are increasingly grappling with the economic and healthcare burdens associated with age-related diseases. These conditions not only reduce quality of life for millions but also place immense strain on healthcare systems, social support networks, and economic productivity.
On a socio-economic level, solving the challenge of healthier aging will extend workforce participation, boost innovation, and strengthen social cohesion.
Longevity science has immense potential, not only to improve individual lives, but to reshape the structure of modern society. It prompts us to rethink how we approach aging, retirement, and intergenerational relationships reimagining the future of public health, economics, and human potential.
The Challenges FACING LONGEVITY SCIENCE
Biological Complexity
Aging involves multiple interconnected biological processes including cellular senescence, mitochondrial dysfunction, telomere attrition, and epigenetic alterations. This complexity requires a systems-level approach to research.
Aging involves multiple interconnected biological processes including cellular senescence, mitochondrial dysfunction, telomere attrition, and epigenetic alterations. This complexity requires a systems-level approach to research.
Funding Gaps
Traditional research funding models often overlook early-stage, high-risk longevity research that could lead to breakthrough discoveries. Long development timelines create incentive misalignments.
Traditional research funding models often overlook early-stage, high-risk longevity research that could lead to breakthrough discoveries. Long development timelines create incentive misalignments.
Regulatory Hurdles
Current regulatory frameworks aren't designed for preventative aging interventions, creating barriers to clinical translation of promising research findings and therapies.
Current regulatory frameworks aren't designed for preventative aging interventions, creating barriers to clinical translation of promising research findings and therapies.
Knowledge Silos
Research findings often remain siloed within institutions, slowing scientific progress. Open collaboration and data sharing are essential for accelerating discoveries in longevity science.
Research findings often remain siloed within institutions, slowing scientific progress. Open collaboration and data sharing are essential for accelerating discoveries in longevity science.
WHAT'S AT STAKE
Reduced healthcare burden through prevention rather than treatment of age-related diseases
Greater intergenerational knowledge transfer and collaboration
Improved cognitive function and mental clarity into advanced age
Expanded workforce productivity and extended contribution periods
Greater opportunity for personal growth and relationship building throughout life
New industries and job markets focused on age-delaying therapeutics, contributing to GDP growth and employment
Extended period of healthy, active life with reduced age-related disease burden for individuals
WHAT'S AT STAKE
Improved cognitive function and mental clarity into advanced age
Reduced healthcare burden through prevention rather than treatment of age-related diseases
Expanded workforce productivity and extended contribution periods
Greater intergenerational knowledge transfer and collaboration
Greater opportunity for personal growth and relationship building throughout life
New industries and job markets focused on age-delaying therapeutics, contributing to GDP growth and employment
Extended period of healthy, active life with reduced age-related disease burden for individuals
VitaDAO is reimagining longevity science with a community-powered, decentralized approach to early stage biomedical research. We are uniting a global network of scientists, enthusiasts, and investors to collaboratively fund, support, and govern early-stage longevity research.
Longevity ResourcesLONGEVITY SCIENCE RESOURCES
Foundational Scientific Papers
López-Otín et al. • Cell • 2013
Seminal paper that categorizes the nine hallmarks of aging, providing a framework for understanding aging mechanisms.
López-Otín et al. • Cell • 2013
Seminal paper that categorizes the nine hallmarks of aging, providing a framework for understanding aging mechanisms.
Campisi • Journal of Clinical Investigation • 2013
Explores the role of cellular senescence in aging and age-related diseases.
Campisi • Journal of Clinical Investigation • 2013
Explores the role of cellular senescence in aging and age-related diseases.
Fontana et al. • Science • 2010
Comprehensive review of interventions that extend lifespan across model organisms.
Fontana et al. • Science • 2010
Comprehensive review of interventions that extend lifespan across model organisms.
Worman & Courvalin • Nature Reviews • 2015
Examines nuclear lamin dysfunction in aging and premature aging syndromes.
Worman & Courvalin • Nature Reviews • 2015
Examines nuclear lamin dysfunction in aging and premature aging syndromes.
Hansen et al. • Developmental Cell • 2018
Investigates autophagy's role in longevity using the C. elegans model system.
Hansen et al. • Developmental Cell • 2018
Investigates autophagy's role in longevity using the C. elegans model system.
Verdin • Science • 2015
Reviews NAD+ decline in aging and potential therapeutic interventions to restore levels.
Verdin • Science • 2015
Reviews NAD+ decline in aging and potential therapeutic interventions to restore levels.
Books & Learning Resources
Lifespan: Why We Age and Why We Dont Have To
David Sinclair
Harvard geneticist David Sinclair presents groundbreaking research on aging as a disease that can be slowed, stopped, and even reversed.
David Sinclair
Harvard geneticist David Sinclair presents groundbreaking research on aging as a disease that can be slowed, stopped, and even reversed.
The Longevity Diet
Valter Longo
USC researcher Valter Longo shares evidence-based nutritional strategies for promoting longevity and healthspan.
Valter Longo
USC researcher Valter Longo shares evidence-based nutritional strategies for promoting longevity and healthspan.
Longevity Hackers
Podcast Series
In-depth interviews with leading longevity researchers, entrepreneurs, and practitioners sharing cutting-edge insights.
Podcast Series
In-depth interviews with leading longevity researchers, entrepreneurs, and practitioners sharing cutting-edge insights.
Longevity Map
Interactive Resource
Comprehensive visual guide to longevity interventions, research areas, and therapeutic approaches.
Interactive Resource
Comprehensive visual guide to longevity interventions, research areas, and therapeutic approaches.
Research Organizations+ Initiatives
Buck Institute for Research on Aging
The first independent research facility focused solely on understanding the connection between aging and chronic disease.
The first independent research facility focused solely on understanding the connection between aging and chronic disease.
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Part of NIH, leading the federal effort to support and conduct research on aging and age-related diseases.
Part of NIH, leading the federal effort to support and conduct research on aging and age-related diseases.
SENS Research Foundation
Developing rejuvenation biotechnologies to repair the damage of aging and prevent age-related disease.
Developing rejuvenation biotechnologies to repair the damage of aging and prevent age-related disease.
LEVF Foundation
Advancing scientific research to extend healthy human lifespan through collaborative interdisciplinary approaches.
Advancing scientific research to extend healthy human lifespan through collaborative interdisciplinary approaches.
