Israeli Researchers Tackle Aging Challenges with Interdisciplinary Approach
Translated & summarized from Calcalist by baba
Professor Shi Shen-Or is leading a new interdisciplinary center at the Technion dedicated to healthy aging, funded by a $25 million donation. The center aims to increase healthspan, not just lifespan, addressing the global demographic crisis of an aging population. Researchers will explore various factors influencing aging, from the immune system and early disease detection to technology, nutrition, and social connections, seeking to improve the quality of life for the elderly.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- A new Technion center, funded by $25 million, will research healthy aging with an interdisciplinary approach.
- Professor Shi Shen-Or leads the center, aiming to increase healthspan and address the global aging population crisis.
- Research will focus on immune system aging, early disease detection, and technological aids for seniors.
- The center will also explore nutrition, urban planning, and the impact of social connections on health.
- The initiative seeks to improve the quality of life for older adults, not just extend their years.
Professor Shi Shen-Or, a computer science expert at the Technion, is leading a new interdisciplinary research center focused on healthy aging. The center, established with a $25 million donation from the Nancy and Stephen Grand family, aims to bridge the gap between lifespan and healthspan, ensuring older adults remain healthy and independent for longer. Shen-Or emphasizes that aging is a continuous process influenced by early-life factors, including environmental exposures and stress, which impact the immune system.
The global aging population presents a significant demographic crisis, comparable to climate change, with projections indicating a substantial increase in individuals over 65. This demographic shift strains social systems like healthcare and social security, which are built on a younger workforce supporting a smaller elderly population. The center's research will explore cognitive decline, early disease detection, and technological aids for older adults, focusing on improving quality of life rather than just extending years.
Shen-Or's background includes degrees in information systems, bioinformatics, and a doctorate in biochemistry from Harvard. He heads the Laboratory for Systemic Immunology and Personalized Medicine at the Technion. The interdisciplinary approach, inspired by Technion President Prof. Uri Sivan, brings together researchers from various fields to address complex global issues like aging.
The Grand Center for Healthy Aging will facilitate collaboration among researchers by providing shared infrastructure, funding, and data. For example, a computer science professor's facial recognition algorithm could be adapted for tissue research with the center's help in connecting with clinicians and navigating ethical approvals. Research areas include cell biology, protein folding, stem cells, heart health, and the aging immune system.
Further research will involve food engineering for the elderly, developing specialized nutrition like high-fiber cereals, and robotics for assistive devices. Urban planning and architecture are also included, with studies on designing accessible public spaces and buildings for those with limited mobility or memory issues. Urban sociologist Prof. Meirav Aharon-Gutman is investigating the link between urban environments, social connections, and well-being, with potential to explore how loneliness affects the immune system.
Research also delves into the connection between loneliness and physiological health, drawing parallels with "blue zones" known for longevity. Studies on mice by Shen-Or and Prof. Assia Rolls have shown that positive emotional states can enhance immune function. Shen-Or's personal motivation stems from his father's cancer diagnosis, shifting his focus from studying worms to human immunology, aiming for research with practical applications.