Creating a clock to predict frailty and lifespan in mice

Development of a Predictive Frailty Clock & Longitudinal Investigation of its Epigenetic Determinants

NIH-funded research Institute for Systems Biology · NIH-11083055

This study is looking at how to predict how long mice will live and how healthy they are by creating a special tool that measures different signs of aging, and it’s especially focused on younger female mice to help us understand aging better, which could also help with human health.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionInstitute for Systems Biology NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Seattle, United States)
Project IDNIH-11083055 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how to predict the lifespan and overall health of mice by developing a frailty clock that incorporates various physiological and molecular measures. The study will involve regular health assessments and blood collection from mice to identify novel biomarkers. By using advanced machine learning techniques, the researchers aim to create a model that accurately forecasts the time to death in different strains of mice, particularly focusing on younger female mice. This approach could provide insights into aging and frailty that may be applicable to human health.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research would be individuals interested in the biological mechanisms of aging and frailty, particularly those with a family history of age-related conditions.

Not a fit: Patients with no interest in aging research or those who do not have age-related health concerns may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and prediction of aging-related health issues, potentially improving interventions for age-related diseases.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success in using frailty indices to predict mortality in humans, suggesting that similar approaches in mice may yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

Seattle, 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 2026-06-13 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.