David Sinclair

Type: Person (Professor of Genetics) Affiliation: Harvard Medical School; co-founder, Life Biosciences

David Sinclair developed the "information theory of aging" — the claim that aging is primarily a loss of epigenetic information, and that reinstalling a youthful epigenetic state can restore tissue function. His 2020 Nature paper showed that partial reprogramming restored vision in mice with optic nerve damage, providing the foundational preclinical data for the Life Biosciences trial.

In January 2026, Life Biosciences (which Sinclair co-founded) received FDA approval to test partial reprogramming in humans — the first clinical validation attempt of his theory.

Key Contributions

• Information theory of aging — aging as epigenetic information loss. (Life Biosciences FDA)
• 2020 Nature paper — partial OSK reprogramming restored mouse optic nerve function; the preclinical basis for the 2026 trial. (Life Biosciences FDA)
• Co-founded Life Biosciences — translated the theory into clinical testing. (Life Biosciences FDA)

Mentioned In

• Partial Epigenetic Reprogramming — theoretical and experimental basis
• Life Biosciences — company co-founded

Skepticism

Harvard colleague Vadim Gladyshev publicly stated (April 2026) he does not yet see strong evidence the approach will be useful — citing his own organ transplant research showing aged environments overwhelm young tissues. The theory is contested even within Sinclair's institution.