You could have two completely different careers if you could stay healthy to 90. How fascinating that would be.

If I were a worm, I would rather be the long-lived mutant than the normal worm, that's for sure.

If the aging process is controlled in a similar way in worms and humans, then we can use what we learn about worms to speed our study of higher organisms.

Carbohydrates, and especially refined ones like sugar, make you produce lots of extra insulin. I've been keeping my intake really low ever since I discovered this. I've cut out all starch such as potatoes, noodles, rice, bread and pasta.

In the early '90s, we discovered mutations that could double the normal life span of worms.

The idea that ageing was subject to control was completely unexpected.

I eat some fruit every day, but not too much and almost no processed food. I stay away from sweets, except 80 per cent chocolate.