Investigating how aging affects blood cell production in the bone marrow
Official title: Using spatial, single-cell genomic recording to investigate age-associated clonal hematopoiesis
Funded at University of Southern California · NIH-11030797 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how getting older affects the way our bone marrow makes blood cells, especially focusing on a process that can lead to blood disorders like leukemia, and it’s designed for anyone interested in understanding age-related changes in blood health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $472,624 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG080982-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11030797 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults experiencing changes in blood cell production or those at risk for hematologic disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are younger and do not have any age-related blood disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how aging influences the production of blood cells in the bone marrow, particularly through a phenomenon known as clonal hematopoiesis. By utilizing a novel genomic recording technique called MEMOIR, the study aims to analyze the changes in communication between blood stem cells as people age. The researchers will explore how these changes in signaling may lead to an increase in certain blood cell types, which can be linked to various blood disorders, including leukemia. This investigation is crucial for developing targeted therapies for age-related blood conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing or treating age-related blood disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding clonal hematopoiesis and its implications, but this specific approach using MEMOIR is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lu, Rong — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Lu, Rong
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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.