Developing drugs to remove or calm harmful aged (senescent) cells that damage bones, muscles, and brain
Core C - Drug Discovery and Development Core (DDDC)
This project develops drugs that either kill or silence harmful senescent cells to help older adults keep bones, muscles, and brains healthier.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11301874 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are creating and testing drugs called senolytics (which kill senescent cells) and senomorphics (which reduce their harmful signals). They will work with teams focused on bone fragility, muscle loss, and brain aging, using genetic tools, lab models, and human-derived samples to test which compounds work best for each cell type. A centralized Drug Discovery and Development Core will screen, optimize, and characterize candidate compounds and use standardized tests of cellular senescence. Because different senescent cell types respond differently, the core helps match the right drug approach to each aging-related problem.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Older adults with age-related bone loss, muscle weakness (sarcopenia), or early signs of cognitive decline would be the most relevant candidates for future trials stemming from this work.
Not a fit: Younger people without age-related conditions or patients whose problems are not driven by senescent cells are unlikely to benefit from these therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to treatments that reduce fractures, muscle weakness, and cognitive decline linked to aging.
How similar studies have performed: Animal studies have shown promising improvements with senolytics and a few small early human trials are beginning, but the approach is still emerging.
Where this research is happening
Rochester, United States
- Mayo Clinic Rochester — Rochester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Robbins, Paul D. — Mayo Clinic Rochester
- Study coordinator: Robbins, Paul D.
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 below.