Comparing how somatic mutations accumulate in aging primates
Official title: Comparative analyses of somatic mutational processes in primates across lifespans
Funded at University of California Berkeley · NIH-11418935 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers study how random genetic mutations in body cells change as primates age, from monkeys to humans, to understand aging and cancer better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Berkeley NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Berkeley, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,380,034 |
| NIH project number | 4RF1AG087974-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11418935 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with age-related conditions or cancer may benefit in the long term from improved understanding of aging biology, but no direct patient enrollment is described in this grant.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals seeking direct participation in a clinical trial or receiving a specific intervention through this grant should not expect immediate personal enrollment.
What this research studies
This project looks at aging through the natural experiment of different lifespans in primates. Using ultra-accurate sequencing, scientists will map somatic mutations across multiple tissues and ages in several primate species, including humans, to see how mutation patterns relate to aging and cancer risk. The work focuses on translating these findings to insights about human aging and disease. Participants are not the primary subjects in this grant, but the research relies on tissue samples and data from primates to inform human health in the long term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: It could help explain why longer-lived species resist certain aging processes and guide future strategies to reduce age-related diseases in people.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies have linked somatic mutation rates to lifespan and demonstrated the role of DNA repair in aging across species.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Berkeley
Berkeley, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sudmant, Peter Heshedahl — University of California Berkeley
- Study coordinator: Sudmant, Peter Heshedahl
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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.