NIH-funded research U01 cooperative agreement

Aging and neutrophil protection in the female genital tract

Official title: The impact of aging on neutrophil-mediated protection and inflammation in the female genital mucosa

Funded at Wayne State University · NIH-11378574 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This grant looks at how aging changes the immune protection in the female genital tract, focusing on neutrophils and their early responses to infections.

More Aging research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeU01 cooperative agreement
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionWayne State University
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Detroit, United States)
Project startJuly 15, 2024
Project endJune 30, 2029
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$515,285
NIH project number5U01AG084766-03
Project IDNIH-11378574 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Older or younger women at risk for urogenital infections, including sexually transmitted infections, who could contribute tissue samples or data.

Less likely to help

If you do not have or are not at risk for urogenital infections, you may not directly benefit.

What this research studies

As a patient, you would be part of a study using advanced lab methods to understand how aging affects neutrophil function in the female genital tract. Researchers will examine how neutrophils respond to infections and how this may differ between younger and older women. The study uses samples and cutting-edge technologies to reveal immune mechanisms that could inform new prevention strategies for genital infections and sexually transmitted infections across ages. The goal is to identify protective signals that work in younger and older women so future interventions can be tailored to age-related needs.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: Findings could lead to age-specific approaches to prevent genital infections and improve mucosal immune protection.

How similar studies have gone: Preliminary work suggests neutrophils play a protective role in the genital tract, with aging altering antiviral responses; this area is actively evolving.

Where this research is happening

  • Wayne State University
    Detroit, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Rodriguez Garcia, Marta — Wayne State University
  • Study coordinator: Rodriguez Garcia, Marta

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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  • Menopause and brain aging in female mice

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  • Short-term midlife estrogen and memory in women

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  • How estrogen and heart/metabolic health affect memory in aging women

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About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.