DARPA project seeks immortality, suspended animation

The Register ^ | July 19, 2011 | John Oates

[2ndDivisionVet]

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is offering money to researchers looking at identifying and controlling timing mechanisms in cells, including those of the human body.

The blue sky gazing loon-collective notes that no single "master switch" has been found to control genes' activities.

But it hopes that the "Biochronicity" programme will find a way to understand and predict "temporal features of biological systems".

The four-year programme will start by identifying "episequences and validation in experimental biological systems".

After two years, DARPA hopes to move to Phase II, which aims to conduct Live Fire Tests.

Should the research prove practicable, it could be used to put injured soldiers into effective suspended animation until medical care is available:

These fundamental advancements in the understanding of timing in biology can be translated into major breakthroughs in trauma care on the battlefield by accessing the mechanisms that control biological time to improve patient outcomes, for example, by lengthening the window of opportunity for medical and treatment interventions. It could also make it possible to put astronauts into hibernation before firing them at Mars or other planets, or even - perhaps - to offer hugely extended human lifespan:

Additionally, a greater understanding of molecular oscillators and the evolution of biological clocks will lead to fundamental advancements in developmental science, drug development, aging, and cell death. Full details are available in pdf here.

[jonrick46]

This is a case where life imitates art. Someone must have known the plot to the new Captain America. When I saw what happened to Captain America, I thought it was terrible to wake up and all those you have loved in your life were very old or dead.

[Kirkwood]

Frogs do it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuhEHNey37Q

[KoRn]

/mark

[Norm Lenhart]

Sure it seems sci-fi but there are many legit medical applications for this. Imagine being able to ‘suspend’ a terminal cancer patient until effective treatment is available.

Sadly there are also a ton of serious downsides. Soros the immortal being one of them.

[wastedyears]

I’d sign up for this.

[wastedyears]

I haven’t seen the movie and probably never will, but it looked like that procedure happened in just a few seconds.

Or was it the ice?

[jonrick46]

From what I understand, Captain America was frozen in an ice field for 70 years. How he was thawed out in perfect condition was not explained.

[familyop]

"...it could be used to put injured soldiers into effective suspended animation until medical care is available:"

The real purpose of the renegade program is obvious.

[SunkenCiv]

Interesting, we needs us some colonization ships! :') Thanks KoRn. Pingworthy on two lists, and maybe KD's scifi list.

· join · view topics · view or post blog · bookmark · post new topic · subscribe ·

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[SunkenCiv]

Thanks KoRn.

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[Strk321]

I believe that true biological immortality (as advocated by Aubrey de Grey et al.) is impossible. However there are certain specific conditions of old age that ought to be reversed. If we could for example cure things like muscle, joint, and bone weaknesses, it would greatly improve the quality of life for a lot of people.

[Quix]

Here’s an interesting

Fibonacci number sequence video:

http://www.wimp.com/fibonaccisequence/

[jimfree]

“The answer....to life....itself.”

[Quix]

More random videos:

DOG BETTER THAN YOU AT BOARD SPORTS:

http://www.wimp.com/boardsports/

KID ON BIKE AT SCATEBOARD PARK:

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KITTENS ON DJ TURNTABLES:

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EXPLODING STORM SEWER LIFTS CAR:

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IMPRESSIONIST DOES SHAKESPEARE IN FAMOUS VOICES:

http://www.wimp.com/shakespeareimpressionist/

TALENTED YOUNG KID IN PARK DOING FLIPS ETC:

http://www.wimp.com/parkourkid/

4 HOURS OF BABY/TODDLER PLAY ON FLOOR W TOYS IN MIN:

http://www.wimp.com/babyplaying/

KUNGFU SOCCER & VOLLEYBALL COMBINED:

http://www.wimp.com/combinesoccer/

SCARY PRANK IN HALLWAY W 10ISH GIRL MADE UP SO HEAD LOOKS LIKE BACK OF HEAD IN THE FRONT OBSCURING FACE ETC: PEOPLE’S REACTIONS COMING INTO HALLWAY AND SEEING HER.

http://www.wimp.com/scareprank/

INDESTRUCTABLE SMALL RED PICKUP?

http://www.wimp.com/scareprank/

HOW NOT TO USE A WATER POWERED JETPACK:

http://www.wimp.com/waterpowered/

DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT FOR 30 DAYS:

http://www.wimp.com/somethingnew/

SWEET DOG TRICKS BY BORDER COLLIE:

http://www.wimp.com/somethingnew/

LIVING ROMAN STATUE STUNTS AT A MALL:

http://www.wimp.com/statueprank/

CRAZY DOWNHILL DIRT BIKING IN SOUTHERN UTAH. CRAZY INDEED:

http://www.wimp.com/crazydownhill/

COOL AUTOMATED CAPSTAN TABLE OPENING AND CLOSING

http://www.wimp.com/capstantable/

AMAZING GOSHAWK FLIGHT EXPERIMENTS:

http://www.wimp.com/tinyspaces/

SKATEBOARD TRICKS:

http://www.wimp.com/awesometricks/

DOG TAKES SEVERAL TRIES TO GAIN BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF PHYSICS:

http://www.wimp.com/hardway/

CLEVER SINGING BIRD PISTOLS:

http://www.wimp.com/birdpistols/

Now THAT’S a big red HUMMER!

http://www.wimp.com/birdpistols/

[FreedomProtector]

marking very funny.

[FreedomProtector]

marking very funny.

[Quix]

Thanks for your kind reply.

[darth]

I proposed a research project to develop suspended animation for a manned Mars mission over ten years ago.

I proposed:

1) Investigate various drugs, e.g., bufotine, to relax the astronaut and induce deep sleep.

2) Induce hypothermia by surgically inserting a heating coil in the blood supply leading the the hypothalamus. In other words, make the body think it is overheating so it goes into a controlled hypothermia.

Obviously, we would conduct animal experiments first.

The big advantage to a Mars mission is that you can have most of the crew suspended in the radiation-shielded “storm shelter” on board. During their suspension they are not eating or consuming much oxygen. Note that total radiation dosage for a three year Mars mission may prove fatal for the crew. Radiation is a mission “show stopper”.

I noted the many civilian spinoffs, e.g., patients waiting for organ transplants could be suspended.

In summary, if bears and squirrels can hibernate, why can’t humans learn to?

[HeartlandOfAmerica]

Thanks for the Fibonacci one. It’s beautiful