How ACE‑inhibitor drugs may work with genes to support longer, healthier lives
Official title: Genetic Basis of Lifespan and Healthspan Extension by ACE Inhibition in Drosophila
Funded at Clemson University · NIH-11326315 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work looks at whether the blood‑pressure drug lisinopril acts through specific genes to help preserve movement and cellular energy as organisms age, with the goal of learning how to keep people healthier longer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Clemson University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Clemson, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2022 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $485,105 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG073181-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11326315 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This project does not enroll people—experiments are done in fruit flies in the laboratory rather than in human participants.
✕Less likely to help
People currently taking ACE inhibitors or hoping for immediate clinical advice should not expect direct benefits yet, because results in flies may not apply to humans right away.
What this research studies
The team uses fruit flies (Drosophila) and a well‑mapped set of fly strains to see how the ACE inhibitor lisinopril changes lifespan, walking ability, and mitochondrial (cell power) function across different genetic backgrounds. They will compare many genetically distinct flies to find which genes influence whether the drug helps or not. By linking drug response to specific genes and biological pathways, the researchers hope to explain why older people show different benefits from ACE inhibitors. Findings are meant to point toward genes and mechanisms that could guide future human studies or treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could reveal genes and mechanisms that explain who might benefit most from ACE inhibitors to preserve mobility and cellular health with age.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies in worms, flies, and mice have shown ACE pathway manipulation can extend lifespan and improve function in animals, but evidence for clear anti‑aging effects in people is mixed and limited.
Where this research is happening
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Clemson University
Clemson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mackay, Trudy F. — Clemson University
- Study coordinator: Mackay, Trudy F.
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.