I loved the idea that biology was logical.

Age is the single largest risk factor for an enormous number of diseases. So if you can essentially postpone aging, then you can have beneficial effects on a whole wide range of disease.

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

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.

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

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.

Maybe one day we will be able to take a pill that keeps us young and healthy much longer. I believe in my heart that this will happen.