Creating good pre-clinical lifespan studies to test senolytics

Alexandra Stolzing, Prof. of Biogerontological Engineering at Loughborough University, asks this question – can the community come together to define minimal criteria for defining a senescent cell? Senescent cells are cells which are incapable of division, effectively reaching the end of their regenerative potential. The scientific definition of senescence is still ambiguous, and this is causing problems for identification and therapeutics against senescent cells. She asked for recommendations to set standards for experimental protocol and brought attention to the need for an aging model data hub. She also reiterated the need for shorter lifespan studies that use proxy measurements to determine longevity success.