Corina Amor, the Spanish scientist who triumphs in the US: "In 10 years it will not be science fiction to talk about living 130 or 140 years"

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Nothing suggested that Corina Amor from

was going to become a prestigious scientist.

Neither her parents nor anyone close to her had dedicated themselves to research, not even she herself opted for it when choosing her career.

She studied

but that part that can be "frustrating due to the lack of treatment for many diseases" led her to opt for the laboratory, because "she preferred to discover something."

And boy is he doing it.

She went to the United States to study for her doctorate and a year ago she was chosen for a program for young scientists, which is already a milestone, since

He achieved this thanks to his thesis, described as

because it is based on the use of CAR-T cells to eliminate those that cause cancer and aging.

At this time, he has already completed the tests in the laboratory and anticipates that in two or three years this technique will begin to be tested on humans, to which another two or three would have to be added for it to begin to be applied.

The foundation of his revolution

In other words, Corina Amor could make one of humanity's oldest dreams come true: to extend life as much as possible and, what is more realistic according to her, "above all

physical and mental health, given that the longevity is genetically determined.

But if someone is already jumping for joy, they will have to know that at the moment it is

although Corina would like it to be accessible to everyone in the future.

And that we are talking about a single injection: "Cell therapy is very expensive, among other things because it is personalized. But we are studying the use of universal cells, which belong to one patient but can help others. Therefore, if we look at In the long term, the costs will be lower. And if it is used against chronic diseases and the cost of long treatments is added, the cost can be equalized."

leader of a team

So far the scientific Corina, but we want to get closer to the female Corina, the one who at 29 years old leads a team of six scientists (although she would like more).

"I ask you for

Science is trial and error, and for that reason you have to be highly motivated and not discouraged. No laboratory rats, we are people who can cause a lot of impact in society, I love discovering something every day that no one else knows."

Corina in her laboratory in New York with a researcher from her team.

How, without having turned 30, does he exercise command?

the resources and the necessary environment for them to develop their creativity, but from time to time you also need a bang on the table."

If asked about that reference figure that she admires, Corina says that no one is perfect and you should not idealize, but look for certain qualities in each one.

Even with everything, she names the late

as "the scientist who worked in New York with Severo Ochoa and then returned to Spain and trained a whole generation of researchers."

young man and woman

Of firm ideas, as can be seen, even so Corina has suffered more than necessary for being a woman and young: "They take you less seriously, you have to continually prove your worth. When you go to congresses,

and then, when he sees that it's not like that, he changes his attitude".

A situation to which she takes iron because, she says, "it happens in all spheres and in all places, also in the United States."

The United States, her workplace where, she says, science is viewed very differently than in Spain.

"There is

But the scientists that exist are very good. A study was carried out to see scientific productivity based on the money available in various countries, and the Spanish were among the most productive, but more is needed resources".

life in america

She herself says that she could not have developed her idea if she had stayed here: "They are

because it was something totally new. I had to have the necessary space to carry it out."

So he lives "the hard life of an emigrant", he humorously affirms:

When I go to Spain, people have moved on with their lives, of course, and nothing is the same. But I'm never going to be an American either. altogether".

The scientist at a time of her presentation, last May in Madrid, at the National Center for Oncological Research.

He resigns himself with the same strength that he puts into his work and his attitude: "For every experiment that comes out, there are three that don't, and

A negative result is just as useful as a positive one, because it helps you shape to the project".

science fiction or reality

If Corina achieves her purpose, several burning issues will become more relevant than ever, from the economic one due to the lengthening of life and therefore pensions, to the sociological one due to who will care for the elderly... "Yes", says Corina, "Science is advancing faster than legislation.

to develop a plan."

Finally, the million dollar question: is it science fiction today to talk about living to be 130 or 140 years old?

"As of today yes, but

Although it is more realistic to talk about quality of life than life expectancy."

Corina Amor laughs when I tell her that if she succeeds, she might receive a Nobel Prize and modestly says: "No,

Others deserve it much more for more fundamental things."

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

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