How our body’s cells accumulate mutations as we age
Official title: GENETIC HETEROGENEITY AMONG HUMAN SOMATIC CELLS AND ITS ACCUMULATION WITH AGE
Funded at University of Southern California · NIH-11599164 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study to understand how normal body cells accumulate mutations over time, which may influence cancer risk and aging-related illnesses.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | August 1, 2020 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $332,000 |
| NIH project number | 2R56AG067615-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11599164 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals willing to donate colon tissue samples across a wide age range for genomic analysis.
✕Less likely to help
People not providing tissue samples or without access to colon tissue data may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at how somatic mutations accumulate in healthy cells, using whole-genome sequencing to examine thousands of genetic differences in colon crypts from people aged 10 months to 90 years. By analyzing multiple crypts per person, the researchers aim to distinguish monoclonal from polyclonal structures and to accurately measure how mutation rates rise with age. The findings could help us understand why some people develop cancer or chronic diseases as they get older. The work is done with human tissue samples and high-depth sequencing to map mutation patterns across age groups.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could improve our understanding of cancer risk and aging, potentially guiding future prevention strategies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies using targeted markers suggested monoclonal and mutation patterns; this study uses genome-wide data for a more comprehensive view, representing a meaningful advance.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hsieh, Chih-Lin — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Hsieh, Chih-Lin
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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.