Collecting human tissues and fluids to map aging cells
Official title: Biospecimen Core for Procurement of Human Somatic and Reproductive Tissues for Senescent Cell Mapping
Funded at Buck Institute for Research on Aging · NIH-11176282 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are collecting donated tissues, blood, and urine from consenting adults to map where and how aging (senescent) cells build up in ovary, breast, and muscle.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Buck Institute for Research on Aging NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Novato, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2021 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $462,450 |
| NIH project number | 5U54AG075932-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11176282 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are consenting adults (21+) willing and able to donate relevant tissues or fluids, such as women providing follicular fluid during reproductive procedures or individuals undergoing breast or muscle tissue donation or biopsy at a partner site.
✕Less likely to help
People under 21, those unable to consent, or anyone not eligible or willing to provide tissue/fluids would not be able to participate and are unlikely to receive direct clinical benefit from this biospecimen collection.
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, this project asks adults to consent to donate tissue samples (ovary, breast, skeletal muscle) and matched fluids such as blood, urine, and follicular fluid. The Biospecimen Core will work with partner sites to collect both retrospective and new samples under IRB-approved procedures and link them to clinical and demographic information. Scientists will use single-cell transcriptomics, proteomics, and morphometric methods to identify senescent cells and their secreted signals (the SASP) within those tissues and in fluids. The goal is to create a detailed blueprint of cellular senescence that can be used to find biomarkers and guide future clinical work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal tissue and fluid biomarkers of harmful senescent cells that help guide future tests or therapies to reduce age-related damage.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have identified senescent cells and some SASP components, but comprehensive single-cell and proteomic mapping across ovary, breast, and muscle with matched fluids is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
-
Buck Institute for Research on Aging
Novato, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Duncan, Francesca E. — Buck Institute for Research on Aging
- Study coordinator: Duncan, Francesca E.
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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.