Science Blog

Science Blog by Dr. Cao

Short essays on the biology of aging, written for anyone curious about how our cells change over time. Topics range from mitochondria and skin to hair follicles and the aging brain.

Dr. Kan Cao
Kan Cao, Ph.D.Principal Investigator, Cao Lab
Illustration of a methylene blue molecule surrounded by moving electrons
Mitochondria

Methylene Blue: Understanding Its Effects Inside and Outside the Body

How a century-old molecule is helping scientists explore new approaches to cellular health and aging.

3 min read   Read article
Illustration of a retinoid molecule and a mitochondrion above layers of skin Skin Aging

Methylene Blue and Retinol: Two Different Approaches to Skin Aging

What established skin-aging treatments and emerging mitochondrial research can teach us about the biology of aging.

3 min readRead article Cross section illustration of skin layers above fat cells that shrink from left to right Skin Biology

Rapid Weight Loss and Skin Aging: What Happens Beneath the Surface?

Why changes in body composition can affect skin appearance, and what cellular biology tells us about recovery and resilience.

4 min readRead article Illustration of three hair follicles of decreasing size with stem cells along their sides Regeneration

Why Does Hair Thin with Age? The Science of Hair Follicle Regeneration

How stem cells, cellular signaling, and metabolism shape the hair-growth cycle.

5 min readRead article Illustration of two neurons with tangles inside and amyloid plaques between them Alzheimer’s Disease

Why Alzheimer’s Disease Research Needs Experts in Human Aging

Understanding Alzheimer’s disease requires more than studying the brain. It requires understanding the biology of aging itself.

5 min readRead article