How heat exposure affects cellular cleanup processes in aging
Official title: Hormetic regulation of autophagy in aging
Funded at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute · NIH-10982319 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how short bursts of heat can help our bodies clean out damaged cells better as we get older, which might lead to healthier and longer lives, and it could help find new ways to tackle age-related health issues.
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 | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $586,599 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AG083373-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10982319 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults or individuals interested in age-related health improvements.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with acute heat sensitivity or those unable to tolerate temperature changes may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how short-term heat exposure can enhance the body's cellular cleanup process, known as autophagy, which tends to decline with age. By studying the model organism C. elegans, the research aims to understand the mechanisms behind this process and how it can lead to longer, healthier lives. The focus is on identifying specific genes and transcription factors that regulate autophagy in response to heat stress, which could provide insights into potential interventions for age-related diseases. Patients may benefit from findings that could lead to new strategies for promoting health and longevity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that enhance cellular cleanup processes, potentially improving health and longevity in aging individuals.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that hormetic stress responses can lead to significant health benefits, suggesting a promising avenue for further exploration.
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
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Aging Well with HIV: Alcohol, Risk Reduction, and Education Center (AWAR3E)
A center at Yale is exploring how aging with HIV interacts with alcohol use to create inflammation and frailty, with the goal of finding biomarkers and potential treatments.
-
Cognitive SuperAging: Exploring why some octogenarians stay sharp in memory
This NIH grant studies why a small group of people aged 80+ keep memory skills as good as much younger people, hoping to understand how to protect memory as we age.
-
Biological aging across the lifespan through a national high school-to-adult study
This grant uses a long-running national study of students and adults to collect saliva biomarkers of aging, alongside surveys, to understand how aging markers relate to health and life experiences.
-
Understanding how aging and Alzheimer’s affect how people make tough choices
This NIH grant studies how aging and Alzheimer’s risk change how people decide between immediate and delayed rewards and risky options, with the goal of helping older adults stay financially and healthwise safer.
-
Understanding how brain resilience and multiple brain pathologies influence aging and Alzheimer's disease
A long-term study follows older adults to learn how resilience to brain changes helps reduce dementia risk and what biological factors are linked to better cognitive aging.
-
National Neighborhood Data Archive helps researchers study aging health in U.S. neighborhoods
A nationwide data resource will help researchers understand how where people live affects health and aging, with a focus on respiratory illnesses in older adults.
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.