Aging-related HSP90 decline and genome instability in mammals
Official title: Modeling age-dependent HSP90 decline and genome instability in mammals
Funded at University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr · NIH-11436985 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study in mammals looks at how aging affects a protein called HSP90 and how this influences genome stability and Alzheimer-related processes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $451,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AG103389-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11436985 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals or animals with age-related susceptibility to genome instability and Alzheimer’s-related pathology, particularly those with relevant inherited mutations affecting DNA repair and protein homeostasis.
✕Less likely to help
If a person does not have age-related genomic instability or mutations in DNA repair pathways, direct benefits may be limited.
What this research studies
As cells age, their ability to maintain balance deteriorates, and this project investigates how common inherited mutations may make some people more vulnerable to late-onset brain changes. Researchers will explore how HSP90 buffering helps keep genome stability and how its decline with age could lead to greater DNA damage in brain-related pathways linked to Alzheimer's disease. The study uses biochemical methods and single-cell genomics to see how mutations in DNA repair genes behave when HSP90 buffering weakens, aiming to connect aging, genome instability, and neurodegenerative risk. By modeling these interactions in mammals, the work could illuminate why age-related onset of Alzheimer’s symptoms varies among individuals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could improve understanding of why aging increases Alzheimer’s risk and identify new angles for therapies that preserve genome stability.
How similar studies have gone: Earlier work suggests HSP90 buffering influences mutational effects, offering a plausible path forward.
Where this research is happening
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University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Karras, Georgios — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Karras, Georgios
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.