His work transformed the mind-set of scientists, launching a new field in the science of aging when he demonstrated that identifying and manipulating genes could lengthen life span.
Although Johnson’s research has led to drug development to slow the effects of age-related diseases, he has yet to find the secret to stop aging. Now the soft-spoken redheaded scientist is running out of time as he confronts his own mortality.
In 1987, scientist Tom Johnson’s team identified the first gene that affects aging. Today, he still works in his lab as he deals with incurable Lewy body dementia.