How organs talk to each other as we age
Interorgan communication in aging in Drosophila
['FUNDING_U01'] · HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL · NIH-11262244
Researchers are using fruit flies to learn how signals between organs change with age and how that can affect metabolism and long-term health.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_U01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (BOSTON, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11262244 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This project maps age-related changes across tissues in fruit flies using cell-by-cell gene activity, tissue-specific protein measurements, and metabolite profiling combined with computational analysis. The team will build on the Aging Fly Cell Atlas and integrate single-cell transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics to find communication signals between organs. They will test lifespan-extending interventions (like rapamycin and FOXO activation) and models that mimic muscle decline and human Tau-related brain damage to see how inter-organ signaling shifts. The aim is to reveal pathways that might be targeted to keep organs coordinated and healthier during aging.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: There is no direct patient enrollment because the work is done in fruit flies, but people with age-related metabolic or neurodegenerative conditions could benefit from therapies informed by these findings in the future.
Not a fit: Patients looking for immediate treatments or opportunities to participate will not benefit directly because this is preclinical lab research in an animal model.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to biological targets to slow age-related decline or reduce risks for conditions linked to aging, such as metabolic disease or neurodegeneration.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal studies using single-cell atlases and manipulating mTOR/FOXO pathways have shown links between inter-organ signals and lifespan, but translating those findings into human therapies remains preliminary.
Where this research is happening
BOSTON, UNITED STATES
- HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL — BOSTON, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: PERRIMON, NORBERT — HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL
- Study coordinator: PERRIMON, NORBERT
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.