How bone-building cells use energy as we age
Energy Metabolism in Osteoblasts and Bone Health
Researchers are looking at how the cells that make bone use different fuels and how those changes with aging could affect bone health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11311346 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From my perspective, the team studies bone-building cells called osteoblasts in the lab to see which fuels they burn and how their mitochondria work. They trace how glucose, glutamine, and fats are processed inside cells and compare young versus aged bone tissue to spot shifts in metabolism. Their findings suggest aged bone cells have mitochondrial problems and divert glucose away from protective pathways, which may increase stress and weaken bone. The work uses cellular experiments and analysis of aged bone samples to piece together mechanisms that could explain age-related bone loss.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with age-related low bone density or osteoporosis would be the most relevant group to follow this research or be considered for future related trials.
Not a fit: People with conditions unrelated to bone metabolism or very young healthy individuals are unlikely to directly benefit from this research in the short term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to protect or restore bone strength in older adults, potentially leading to treatments that reduce fractures.
How similar studies have performed: Previous lab studies reached conflicting conclusions about osteoblast metabolism, and this project builds on and reconciles that prior work but has not yet produced clinical treatments.
Where this research is happening
Rochester, United States
- University of Rochester — Rochester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Eliseev, Roman — University of Rochester
- Study coordinator: Eliseev, Roman
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.