Investigating how aging affects immune responses to infections in mice
Official title: Mouse and Infection Models
Funded at University of Minnesota · NIH-11053485 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the immune systems of young and older mice respond to infections, and it aims to find ways to boost the immune response in older mice to help them fight off illnesses better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | March 11, 2024 |
| Project end | February 28, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $519,692 |
| NIH project number | 5P01AI172501-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11053485 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults who may be at higher risk for infections due to age-related immune decline.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not elderly or do not have age-related immune issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the immune responses of young and aged mice when exposed to infections. By using both wildtype and genetically engineered mouse strains, the study examines how aging and the presence of senescent cells influence the body's ability to fight off pathogens. Researchers will explore treatments that may enhance immune responses in older mice, potentially leading to better therapeutic strategies for age-related vulnerabilities. The project aims to generate and validate various mouse models to study these effects in detail.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for infections in older adults by enhancing their immune responses.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promise in using similar approaches to enhance immune responses in aged populations, indicating potential for success in this research.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hamilton Hart, Sara Elizabeth — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Hamilton Hart, Sara Elizabeth
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.