From Lab to Life: Translating Ageing Science into Real-world Solutions with Professor Lorna Harries

Professor Lorna Harries has spent more than two decades studying why cells age and what might be done about it. In this episode, she explains one of the most overlooked mechanisms in ageing biology, RNA splicing. When cells lose control of this process, they become stressed, dysfunctional and can tip into senescence, a state that contributes to ageing across almost every organ system.She explains what senescent cells actually do, how the signals they release can spread damage from one tissue to another, and why calling them “zombie cells” does not come close to telling the full story. We talk about the possibility of intervening before cells reach an irreversible state, why targeting the biology of ageing itself may matter more than tackling diseases one at a time, and what meaningful rejuvenation should really look like.Prof Lorna also discusses the challenge of turning lab science into therapies through her spin-out SENISCA, her work with L’Oréal, and why conditions such as IPF are an important place to begin. Along the way, she addresses the tougher questions too, including how longevity science moves from promise to treatment, where the field risks drifting into hype, and whether these advances will be available to the many or only the few.Links:http://www.senisca/http://www.iscarna.com/https://teamrna.wixsite.com/harrieslabhttps://experts.exeter.ac.uk/1873-lorna-harriesInnovate UK ICURe Programmehttps://iuk-business-connect.org.uk/programme/icure/ 00:00 Podcast Intro Guest Setup01:50 Meet Professor Harris Basics02:16 DNA RNA Explained03:38 RNA Splicing And Ageing05:48 What Senescent Cells Do07:38 Reversing Senescence Window09:01 Fat Tissue And Faster Ageing11:01 Splicing As Central Hallmark12:11 Rejuvenation Discovery Story13:52 From Lab To Spinout Company16:41 Translating Science To Products19:17 Therapy Targets IPF And Beyond21:45 Why Translation Often Fails23:19 Defining Real Rejuvenation25:14 Avoiding Hype In Longevity27:17 Who Is Lagging Behind27:37 Regulatory Mindset Shift28:47 Trials Built for Ageing29:28 Scepticism and Overhype31:25 Is Ageing a Disease32:49 Policy and Demographic Timebomb33:48 Advocacy and Communication35:24 Personal Ageing Habits36:24 Key Unasked Questions39:15 Longevity for the Rich41:43 Access via NHS and Patents45:06 Rapid Fire and Myths49:05 Closing Reflections