How aging changes the stretchy protein in arteries
Multiscale Effects of Aging on Elastic Arterial Tissue Mechanics
Researchers are learning how aging alters elastin, the stretchy protein in arteries, to help keep blood vessels more flexible as people get older.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Connecticut Storrs NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Storrs-Mansfield, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11234240 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you follow this work, you'll hear that the team studies the tiny building blocks of elastin and how they come together inside artery walls. They use high-resolution molecular models, lab experiments on arterial tissue, and larger-scale mechanical testing to link molecule-level changes to whole-artery stiffness. The researchers also look at how age-related chemical changes, like non-enzymatic glycation, make elastic fibers stiffer over time. Together the computer models and physical tests aim to explain why arteries lose flexibility with age.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Older adults or people with signs of age-related arterial stiffness would be the most relevant group for sample donation or future clinical follow-up related to this research.
Not a fit: People seeking immediate treatment for advanced cardiovascular disease or those without arterial aging concerns are unlikely to get direct benefit from this laboratory-focused project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This work could point to new ways to prevent or reverse age-related artery stiffening, lowering risk for heart disease and stroke.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work from this team has resolved tropoelastin structure and shown glycation stiffens elastic networks, so this project builds on successful molecular and experimental findings with new multiscale methods.
Where this research is happening
Storrs-Mansfield, United States
- University of Connecticut Storrs — Storrs-Mansfield, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tarakanova, Anna — University of Connecticut Storrs
- Study coordinator: Tarakanova, Anna
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.