Helen Blau Presents at the 5th Interventions in Aging Conference

The 5th Interventions in Aging Conference took place from October 4–7, 2025, at the Hilton Malta Hotel in St. Julian’s, bringing together global leaders in aging research to mark the tenth anniversary of this landmark series. Organized by Fusion Conferences, the meeting highlighted how basic discoveries in molecular and cellular mechanisms of aging are being translated into interventions that extend healthspan and improve resilience in later life.

This year’s program featured seven plenary lectures by pioneers in the field, including Helen Blau (Stanford University), Rozalyn Anderson (University of Wisconsin–Madison), Anne Brunet (Stanford University), Vishwa Deep Dixit (Yale School of Medicine), Andrew Dillin (UC Berkeley), Saul Villeda (UC San Francisco), and Juan Carlos Izpisua Belmonte (Altos Labs). Each speaker shared fresh perspectives on topics spanning metabolism, inflammation, regenerative biology, and cellular reprogramming — key themes reflecting the field’s rapid growth and interdisciplinary nature.

Helen Blau’s keynote, “Enhancing Muscle Strength in Aging by Targeting the Gerozyme 15‑PGDH,” focused on recent discoveries from her lab identifying 15‑PGDH as an enzyme that limits muscle regeneration with age. By inhibiting this enzyme, her team has demonstrated restoration of muscle mass and strength in aged preclinical models, pointing toward the possibility of therapeutic strategies that counteract aging‑associated frailty. Her talk resonated strongly with the meeting’s overarching goal of translating geroscience discoveries into interventions that improve human health during aging.

Scientific discussions throughout the meeting explored pressing questions such as the origins of chronic inflammation, the role of somatic mutation and impaired gene expression, and the interplay between metabolic and immune systems. Several presentations highlighted new biomarkers and regulatory molecules — including myokines and gerozymes — that offer early indicators of age‑related functional decline.

Beyond the impressive scientific program, the conference fostered lively discussion, collaborative spirit, and mentorship across all career stages. Poster sessions, trainee presentations, and networking events encouraged open exchange and future cross‑disciplinary partnerships. A guided group visit to Valletta and a festive gala dinner capped off a memorable week of scientific discovery and community building.

The Interventions in Aging Conference series has become a cornerstone for the geroscience community, advancing its mission to understand and modulate the biology of aging for healthier, longer lives.