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We learn about DNA methylation, biomarkers, how bio/aging clocks are developed, the importance of them, the future of the longevity space, axolotl genome nerdiness, resource recommendations, and much more. Let’s stay curious, learn about Dr. Va-run and his passion in longevity and aging spaces.
Dr. Varun Dwaraka (Head of Bioinformatics) bio
I am a scientist with extensive proven experience in the development of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS; RNA-Seq, ChIP-Seq, Bisulfite Seq) and array based (Affymetrix, EPIC Array) analytical pipelines using univariate, multivariate, and machine learning methods. I am knowledgeable on how to analyze single-cell NGS datasets (e.g. single-cell RNA-Seq), and the associated tools available to do so.
I have proven expertise in the visualization, and interpretation, of results for the end goal of publishing research. I am also an effective communicator, presenting at international and national conferences in poster presentations and talks, while also publishing as a primary or co-author in international, peer reviewed journals.
I have worked in non-model and model organisms, generated bioinformatic resources for the scientific community, published peer-reviewed articles, and have successfully designed data analysis pipelines to answer various questions related to regeneration biology, disease progression, cancer biomarker identification, sex-based gene expression differences, and aging research.
I am passionate about learning and implementing machine learning methods to advance predictive medicine and advance our understanding in the biology of aging.
Dr. Varun Links
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/varunbdwaraka/
- https://trudiagnostic.com/
- https://scholar.google.com/
- https://twitter.com/drmorganlevine?lang=en
- Dr. Steve Horvath
- https://www.buckinstitute.org/
- https://www.vai.org/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5uV3gmOH9g
About the show
Lowell Thompson is a lifelong autodidact, founder of tech and biotech startups, and advisor for a variety of tech and biotech businesses & VC funds. In this show we will learn together how and why leaders, scientists, and people build their change into the world -strategies, ideas, failures, successes, and more. You’ll also hear laughs and genuine passion.
Learning with lowell links
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzri06unR-lMXbl6sqWP_-Q
Youtube clips: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-B5x371AzTGgK-_q3U_KfA
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lowell-th…
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LWThompson5
Website: https://www.learningwithlowell.com/
Podcast email: lowell@learningwithlowell.com
Timestamps
01:00 start
01:10 DNA methylation, explained
02:50 History of dna methylation
06:20 How Varun stays at the cutting edge
09:20 Axolotl genomic interest and facts
17:40 Thoughts on the extent we can achieve true longevity
19:20 Downsides/concerns he worries about in developing longevity
20:20 How he and his research fits into the longevity space
26:00 What he works with in a given week (types of math, stats, etc)
29:00 DATA and the basis of test development
38:20 Results that have surprised him
40:30 Using the aging clocks what is the biggest detectable jump(i.e. 20s to 30s)
43:20 Who can use the tests and the data
46:50 The benefits of taking multiple tests
51:50 What secret nerdy things have been going on at Truediagnostic that he doesn’t usually get to talk about (biobanks, methylation, research)
55:40 Our guess at the most understood animal on the planet(it’s not humans)
56:30 What he sees his role as in the longevity space over the next few years
1:01:09 What is he currently curious/fascinated about in the longevity space
1:07:00 How his passion for longevity affects his personal life
1:13:00 what song would he choose to pavlovian condition himself to easily transition out of work
1:20:00 Democratizing of understanding yourself and future of longevity
1:23:25 Suggestions on how to get involved and get where he is for phd scientists
1:23:50 He asks for help from the audience. Anyone who knows machine learning should check out this section
1:29:00 Resources he suggests you check out, people he thinks you should follow, to stay up to date in the longevity space
1:31:00 Band/playlist he recommends we check out while learning about longevity