Clearing or calming harmful 'old' cells to help people stay healthier as they age
Targeting Cellular Senescence to Extend Healthspan
This project develops drugs that either remove or change the behavior of senescent (aged) cells to help older adults remain healthier and prevent age-related problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11301868 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's point of view, researchers are studying senescent cells — cells that stop dividing and drive inflammation — in multiple tissues such as fat, brain, and muscle. They are testing next-generation small molecules that either kill these cells (senolytics) or alter their harmful signals (senomorphics) using lab models, human tissue samples, and early clinical work. The team focuses on molecular signals like p16 and p21 to target specific senescent cell types and track effects on function and disease markers. The project is led by Mayo Clinic with a multidisciplinary network aiming to turn laboratory discoveries into therapies people can access.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Older adults, particularly those with signs of aging-related conditions such as frailty, mobility decline, metabolic disease, or early cognitive changes, would be the most likely candidates for related trials.
Not a fit: Younger individuals without age-related issues or people with advanced organ failure or certain immune disorders may not benefit from these approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, these treatments could reduce age-related inflammation and lower the risk or severity of multiple age-related diseases, helping people stay physically and cognitively healthier longer.
How similar studies have performed: Animal studies have shown strong benefits and a few small human trials have reported encouraging but preliminary results, so the approach is promising but not yet proven broadly effective.
Where this research is happening
Rochester, United States
- Mayo Clinic Rochester — Rochester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lebrasseur, Nathan K — Mayo Clinic Rochester
- Study coordinator: Lebrasseur, Nathan K
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 below.