Creating a rat model to study the effects of telomerase on aging and diseases.
Official title: Development of a Rat Model to Investigate the Physiology of Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase alternative splicing isoforms
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11142050 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at special versions of a gene called TERT in rats to see how they might influence aging and diseases like heart problems and cancer, which could help us find new ways to improve health as we get older.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2025 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $259,423 |
| NIH project number | 1R21OD037663-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11142050 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults at risk for age-related diseases such as cardiovascular issues or cancer.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with acute or non-age-related conditions may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a transgenic rat model to explore the physiological roles of different splice variants of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) in aging and related diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and cancer. By comparing a catalytically inactive variant with a full-length version of TERT, the study aims to understand how these variants affect cellular health and mitochondrial function. This could provide insights into potential interventions for age-related conditions. The research will utilize advanced genetic engineering techniques to create and phenotype these rat models.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing or treating age-related diseases, improving health outcomes for older adults.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of using TERT splice variants in a rat model is novel, previous research has shown promise in understanding telomerase functions in other contexts.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ludlow, Andrew Todd — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Ludlow, Andrew Todd
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.