Investigating how aging cells contribute to muscle loss and dysfunction
Official title: The role of cellular senescence in skeletal muscle loss and dysfunction
Funded at University of Alabama at Birmingham · NIH-11143353 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how aging cells affect muscle loss in older adults, and it hopes to find ways to help restore muscle strength and size by targeting these aging cells, which could lead to new treatments for muscle wasting.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $248,724 |
| NIH project number | 4R00AR081898-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11143353 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults experiencing muscle weakness or loss, particularly those diagnosed with sarcopenia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are younger than 21 years old or do not have issues related to muscle loss may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the role of cellular senescence, which is the process of aging at the cellular level, in the loss and dysfunction of skeletal muscle. The study aims to identify the mechanisms behind sarcopenia, a condition characterized by muscle wasting, particularly in older adults. By using mouse models, researchers will explore how targeting senescent cells may help restore muscle size and function, potentially leading to new treatments for this debilitating condition. The research will involve advanced techniques to label and modify specific muscle fibers to better understand their behavior as they age.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that restore muscle function and improve quality of life for individuals suffering from age-related muscle loss.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in animal models where targeting senescent cells improved muscle function, indicating potential for success in this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Englund, Davis a. — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Englund, Davis a.
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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.