Hormetic regulation of autophagy in aging
Funded at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute · NIH-11362687 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A science team is studying how a controlled heat shock can trigger autophagy to help aging organisms stay healthier.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $586,599 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG083373-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11362687 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults interested in aging, neurodegenerative risk, and metabolic health who may benefit from future therapies that boost autophagy.
✕Less likely to help
People without aging-related health concerns or those unwilling to engage in long-term translational studies may not benefit.
What this research studies
The project looks at how autophagy, the cell’s cleanup system, changes with age and how brief heat exposure might boost it for longer life. Using C. elegans as a model, researchers will explore when and where autophagy matters most for lasting health benefits after a heat shock. They will examine the roles of HLH-30 (TFEB ortholog) and HSF-1 in controlling autophagy during hormetic stress and map long-term transcriptional changes in tissues. The goal is to uncover how short, safe stress can promote resilience to aging-related problems by sustaining autophagy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to strategies that enhance healthy aging by harnessing hormetic stress to sustain cellular cleanup processes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows hormetic heat exposure can extend lifespan in worms and involves autophagy, supporting potential relevance in higher organisms.
Where this research is happening
-
Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kumsta, Caroline — Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute
- Study coordinator: Kumsta, Caroline
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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.