EP 1334
1334. Digital Twins: The End of Human Drug Testing for Biohackers
In this episode of The Human Upgrade, Host Dave Asprey talks with Dr. Derya Unutmaz — a world-renowned immunologist, systems biologist, and leading researcher at The Jackson Laboratory — to uncover how artificial intelligence and digital twins are transforming the future of medicine and longevity. With more than 150 scientific publications, Dr. Unutmaz is pioneering AI models that simulate immune systems, metabolism, and aging at a cellular level, replacing slow human trials with rapid, predictive experiments that personalize health in real time. He and Dave explore how AGI will outperform doctors, redesign clinical testing, and reveal why our immune system may be the true driver of aging and inflammation. You’ll learn how digital twins will revolutionize drug discovery, how GLP-1 and metformin are reshaping metabolic health, and why controlling mitochondria, NAD, and inflammation are the keys to living longer and performing better.
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In this Episode of The Human Upgrade™...
AI is transforming medicine at a speed never seen before. In this episode, you’ll discover how digital twins and artificial intelligence will revolutionize drug discovery, eliminate human trials, and personalize your biology for longevity and high performance. Host Dave Asprey breaks down how AI can now simulate virtual cells and tissues, running clinical experiments in minutes instead of years to create truly individualized medicine.
Dr. Derya Unutmaz is a world-renowned immunologist, systems biologist, and professor at The Jackson Laboratory. With more than 150 scientific papers, he’s a leading expert in immune system research and one of the first scientists to pioneer the concept of digital twins for biology. His groundbreaking work uses AI to model how immunity, metabolism, and aging interact—creating new possibilities for personalized medicine, disease prevention, and lifespan extension.
Host Dave Asprey and Dr. Unutmaz reveal how AGI will soon outperform doctors, accelerate functional medicine, and optimize human biology far beyond today’s standards. You’ll learn how the immune system drives inflammation and aging, how to re-engineer it for resilience, and why compounds like GLP-1 and metformin may add years to your life.
You’ll Learn:
- How digital twins will end human drug testing
- Why AGI could replace doctors and computer jobs within five years
- How AI models immune function, metabolism, and aging
- The role of mitochondria and inflammation in longevity
- How GLP-1 drugs and metformin extend lifespan
- What continuous biological monitoring means for health tracking
- How AI is transforming functional medicine and personalized care
- Why NAD and energy metabolism are key to human performance
They explore how artificial intelligence, biohacking, and systems biology intersect to create a smarter approach to health and longevity. You’ll also learn how understanding immune balance, metabolism, and mitochondrial function helps build resilience and extend your lifespan.
This is essential listening for anyone serious about biohacking, hacking human performance, and extending longevity through personalized medicine, functional biology, and cutting-edge AI innovation.
This is essential listening for anyone serious about biohacking, hacking human performance, improving mobility, and extending longevity. You’ll also learn how neuroplasticity, metabolism, and brain optimization all connect to the way you move.
Dave Asprey is a four-time New York Times bestselling author, founder of Bulletproof Coffee, and the father of biohacking. With over 1,000 interviews and 1 million monthly listeners,?The Human Upgrade brings you the knowledge to take control of your biology, extend your longevity, and optimize every system in your body and mind. Each episode delivers cutting-edge insights in health, performance, neuroscience, supplements, nutrition, biohacking, emotional intelligence, and conscious living.
New episodes are released every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday (BONUS). Dave asks the questions no one else will and gives you real tools to become stronger, smarter, and more resilient.
Keywords: AI medicine, Digital twins, Functional medicine, Biohacking, Longevity, Immune system, Inflammation, Personalized medicine, GLP-1 therapy, Metformin, NAD boosters, Mitochondrial function, Metabolism, AGI, Clinical trials, Human performance, Aging research, Systems biology, Immunology, Smarter Not Harder
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“It’s already unethical for doctors not to use AI. Very soon it’s going to be malpractice. There are millions of misdiagnoses every year. AI can reduce that to almost nothing — it doesn’t make those mistakes.”
Derya Unutmaz
00:00 — Trailer
A preview of the key themes, breakthroughs, and ideas explored in this episode.
01:25 — Intro
Host Dave Asprey introduces Dr. Derya Unutmaz and sets the stage for the future of AI and longevity.
02:26 — AI’s Role in Extending Lifespan
How artificial intelligence can simulate biological systems to speed up drug discovery and aging research.
02:56 — Regulatory Frameworks and Medical Adoption
The global challenges of integrating AI into medicine and how demand will drive change faster than policy.
05:19 — Problems with the Immune System
Why the immune system is a “legacy design” that causes chronic inflammation, disease, and faster aging.
08:19 — Chronic Fatigue and Long COVID Research
How AI-driven analysis connects immune dysfunction, microbiome imbalance, and post-viral syndromes.
10:32 — Modern Testing and Multi-Omic Analysis
Using large-scale data on metabolites, microbiome, and immune cells to personalize medicine.
14:07 — Personal Longevity Strategy and Supplements
Dr. Unutmaz shares his personal regimen including metformin, omega-3s, and NAD precursors.
15:17 — Understanding Exhausted Cells
How “battle-worn” immune cells accelerate aging and what can be done to eliminate or rejuvenate them.
23:43 — Personalization in Medicine and AI Analysis
How AI integrates genomics, metabolomics, and immune data to create individualized treatment plans.
31:35 — Longevity Escape Velocity
Why the next decade may bring the tipping point where humans outlive aging itself.
36:13 — AI Doctors and Prescriptions
How AI will outperform human doctors, reduce misdiagnoses, and legally prescribe medications.
39:55 — Data Quality Concerns in AI Training
The dangers of training medical AI on low-quality biological data and how agentic models will solve it.
43:19 — The Future of Wearable Technology
How continuous health monitoring and nano-sensors will revolutionize biohacking and prevention.
45:50 — Revolutionizing Education with AI
Why traditional teaching is obsolete and how personalized AI learning is transforming the classroom.
49:04 — The Future of Higher Education
How universities must reinvent themselves in an age where AI out-teaches professors.
52:03 — Future of Work and AI Agents
Why AI agents will replace most computer-based jobs and empower individuals to run entire companies solo.
Resources:
- Keep up with Derya’s work: https://x.com/derya_?lang=en
- Business of Biohacking Summit | Register to attend October 20-23 in Austin, TX https://businessofbiohacking.com/
- Danger Coffee: https://dangercoffee.com/discount/dave15
- Dave Asprey’s BEYOND Conference: https://beyondconference.com
- Dave Asprey’s New Book – Heavily Meditated: https://daveasprey.com/heavily-meditated
- Upgrade Collective: https://www.ourupgradecollective.com
- Upgrade Labs: https://upgradelabs.com
- 40 Years of Zen: https://40yearsofzen.com
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