Coordinating hub for how aging cells affect immune defense

Admin Core

NIH-funded research University of Minnesota · NIH-11318998

Researchers are studying how aging cells called senescent cells change immune defenses against infections to improve health for older adults.

Quick facts

Grant typeP01 program project
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Minnesota NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Minneapolis, United States)
Project IDNIH-11318998 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This Administrative Core brings together teams working on how senescent cells influence immune responses and control of pathogens. The program uses specialized transgenic mouse models and controlled pathogen exposure experiments alongside advanced single-cell and spatial analysis of tissues to map immune changes. Core A coordinates three research projects and two technical cores so scientists share data, tools, and expertise efficiently. The coordinated approach is meant to speed discovery of ways to protect older adults from infections driven by immune aging.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for related future clinical work would be older adults with signs of immune aging or people who experience frequent or severe infections.

Not a fit: Young, otherwise healthy people or those with conditions unrelated to immune aging are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the work could point to therapies that reduce harmful senescent cells or boost immune function, leading to better infection outcomes in older people.

How similar studies have performed: Preclinical studies removing senescent cells have improved health and immune responses in animals, but human trials are still limited and this approach remains relatively new.

Where this research is happening

Minneapolis, United States

Researchers

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 below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 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.