The Scientist interviews Nir Barzilai, M.D., and Evris Gavathiotis, Ph.D., about their success in pursuing private funding in the face of federal funding cuts. Drs. Barzilai and Gavathiotis share how they identified and pursued alternative funding sources and how it has helped advance their research. Dr. Barzilai is the Ingeborg and Ira Leon Rennert Chair of Aging Research and director of the Institute for Aging Research at Einstein and attending physician at Montefiore Medical Center. Dr. Gavathiotis is assistant professor of biochemistry and of medicine.
May 1, 2015
The New York Times references Einstein’s centenarian studies and Nir Barzilai, M.D., in an obituary on 109-year old Irving Kahn. Kahn, considered the oldest active Wall Street investor before his death, was a participant in Dr. Barzilai’s studies at Einstein’s Institute of Aging Research. He was also profiled as part of Einstein’s Longevity Genes Project video series. Dr. Barzilai is the Ingeborg and Ira Leon Rennert Chair of Aging Research and director of the Institute for Aging Research at Einstein and attending physician at Montefiore Medical Center.
February 27, 2015
Bloomberg News interviews Nir Barzilai, M.D., about Novartis’ efforts to develop FDA-approved drug rapamycin as an anti-aging, preventative therapy. It was long believed that rapamycin suppressed the immune response, rendering it unsuitable for long-term use in older adults. However, Dr. Barzilai notes that a recent “watershed” moment occurred when new research found it merely modulated the immune response in humans, clearing the way for more research. Dr. Barzilai is the Ingeborg and Ira Leon Rennert Chair of Aging Research and director of the Institute for Aging Research at Einstein and attending physician at Montefiore Medical Center.
February 12, 2015
The New York Times and NPR feature Nir Barzilai, M.D., and one of his centenarian study participants in a joint article on aging. Dr. Barzilai notes that as a scientist, his goal isn’t to help people live longer, but to live healthier. Dr. Barzilai is the Ingeborg and Ira Leon Rennert Chair of Aging Research and director the Institute for Aging Research at Einstein and attending physician at Montefiore Medical Center.
November 19, 2014
Wall Street Journal features new research by Nir Barzilai, M.D. that found lower levels of growth hormone are associated with extended lifespan in centenarians. Concerns about the dangers of using human growth hormone (HGH) as an anti-aging agent—a growing $4 billion industry—are increasing. Dr. Barzilai notes hormones that might have some beneficial effect for children with stunted growth may have a negative effect on aging adults. Dr. Barzilai is the Ingeborg and Ira Leon Rennert Chair of Aging Research and director of Einstein's Institute for Aging Research.
March 25, 2014
NPR interviews Nir Barzilai, M.D., about a new study that showed men who adopted healthier lifestyles had longer telomeres. Telomeres protect the tips of chromosomes and are associated with lower risk for many chronic diseases and longer lifespan. Dr. Barzilai notes that the study doesn't answer the fundamental question of causation — whether someone is healthy because they have longer telomeres or someone's telomeres become longer because they are healthy. Dr. Barzilai is the Ingeborg and Ira Leon Rennert Chair of Aging Research and director of Einstein's Institute for Aging Research.
September 17, 2013
Geoffrey Kabat, Ph.D., interviews Nir Barzilai, M.D., in a Forbes article about his aging research and the genetic determinants of healthy longevity. Dr. Kabat reports that Dr. Barzilai’s lab has discovered several genetic variants that appear to extend human health-span, one of which is the basis of a drug currently in phase III clinical trials. Dr. Kabat is a senior epidemiologist at Einstein. Dr. Barzilai is the Ingeborg and Ira Leon Rennert Chair of Aging Research and director of Einstein’s Institute for Aging Research.
May 30, 2013
Several Einstein faculty members and their research are featured in a National Geographic cover story on the potential genetic roots of longevity. Harry Ostrer, M.D., Roee Holtzer, Ph.D., and Nir Barzilai, M.D., are quoted, providing insight into the some likely genetic factors of healthy aging and the varied physiological and behavioral outcomes of these factors. Ongoing epigenetic investigations by Francine Einstein, M.D. and John Greally, M.B.B.Ch, Ph.D., are also highlighted, as is Dr. Holtzer’s collaborator Joe Verghese, M.B.B.S.
April 18, 2013
Richard Dawkins interviews Nir Bazilai, M.D., on U.K. TV about the trade-off between living longer and having fewer children. (Segment begins at 28:15) Mr. Dawkins, an English evolutionary biologist and author, also interviews Irving Kahn, a participant in Dr. Barzilai's The Longevity Genes Project, in his new series titled "Sex, Death and the Meaning of Life." Dr. Barzilai is the Ingeborg and Ira Leon Rennert Chair of Aging Research and director of the Institute for Aging Research.
October 31, 2012
Nature.com interviews Nir Barzilai, M.D., about a surprising new study in primates that found severe calorie restriction did not lead to longer life. Dr. Barzilai notes that genetics is more important than diet and lifestyle for the centenarians who he has studied as part of The Longevity Genes Project. Dr. Barzilai is the Ingeborg and Ira Leon Rennert Chair of Aging Research and director of the Institute for Aging Research.
More coverage on this story
Slate.com
August 30, 2012
In a Reuters article, Nir Barzilai, M.D., describes the genetic edge centenarians have and the promise of whole genome sequencing to uncover it. Dr. Barzilai, who heads Einstein’s Longevity Genes Project, helped develop the Archon Genomics X-Prize, which will award $100 million to the first team to sequence the complete genomes of 100 centenarians within 30 days. Dr. Barzilai is the Ingeborg and Ira Leon Rennert Chair of Aging Research and director of the Institute for Aging Research.
July 23, 2012
CBS Sunday Morning explores recent advances in the science of aging, including insights uncovered by Nir Barzilai, M.D., through his Longevity Genes Project. Dr. Barzilai’s ongoing study of over 500 healthy centenarians has demonstrated that most of the participants have a genetic advantage over the rest of the population that allows them to avoid age-related diseases. Dr. Barzilai is the Ingeborg and Ira Leon Rennert Chair of Aging Research and director of the Institute for Aging Research. (Dr. Barzilai’s section begins 3 minutes into the segment.)
July 9, 2012
Bloomberg BusinessWeek interviews Nir Barzilai, M.D., about whole genome sequencing of the elderly and how it may reveal the secrets to healthy aging. Dr. Barzilai notes that the centenarians in his Longevity Genes Project have just as many genetic variants for diseases as the rest of the population, but they also have rare genetic variants that protect them from developing those diseases. Dr. Barzilai is the Ingeborg and Ira Leon Rennert Chair of Aging Research and director of the Institute for Aging Research.
June 20, 2012
U.S. News & World Report interviews Nir Barzilai, M.D., about his longevity genes research with healthy centenarians, or so-called SuperAgers. Dr. Barzilai notes that many of his vital study participants smoke, drink and are overweight, but with the right genes, their bodies are protected. Dr. Barzilai is the Ingeborg and Ira Leon Rennert Chair of Aging Research and director of the Institute for Aging Research.
May 11, 2012