This article was reprinted from NorthBayBiz.com in June 2014.
Located high on a grassy hillside on Mt. Burdell in north Novato, with cattle grazing below, the Buck Institute for Research on Aging is a world of contrasts. The campus, designed by renowned architect I.M. Pei, is a masterpiece of curves, sharp geometric angles and tall spaces that let in the light and make the most of the rustic site and its spectacular views.
High-tech research flourishes quietly alongside wildflowers, and the tranquil environment barely hints at the exciting and dynamic work that goes on inside, as scientists seek to unravel the mysteries of aging and find ways for us to live longer while enjoying good health.
The secrets to healthy aging are elusive. Everybody ages; it’s how we do it that matters, and finding improved ways to grow older can bring untold benefits, both physical and economic. Research into aging was a new field when the Buck Institute opened in 1999.
Studying how aging enables disease was so new that it didn’t even have a name, leading the institute’s scientists to coin the term “geroscience” to identify the concept.
Fifteen years later, its work to develop new methods and strategies for increasing longevity in a positive way is both groundbreaking and promising, as the results of early research move into the next stage and clinical trials take research from lab to bedside with the goal of creating a better future.
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