Investigating how to reverse aging in organisms
Official title: Turning back biological clock: mechanisms of age reversal in a whole organism
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-10907943 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain tiny creatures called planarians can naturally reverse aging, and it hopes to find out how their special cells help them stay young, which could lead to new ways to help people age better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $1,404,000 |
| NIH project number | 1DP2AG093207-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10907943 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals aged 65 and older who are interested in potential advancements in age-related health improvements.
✕Less likely to help
Patients younger than 65 years old or those with conditions that prevent participation in experimental treatments may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the mechanisms behind age reversal in organisms, specifically focusing on the natural abilities of planarians to rejuvenate at a whole-body level. The study aims to uncover how stem cell division and differentiation contribute to replacing aged cells, as well as how epigenetic changes can modify gene expression to impact cellular function. By identifying the molecular regulators involved in these processes, the research seeks to provide insights that could lead to advancements in anti-aging medicine for humans.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to breakthroughs in delaying age-related diseases and enhancing the quality of life for older adults.
How similar studies have gone: While the concept of age reversal is being explored in various contexts, this specific approach using planarians is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in humans.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Guo, Longhua — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Guo, Longhua
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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.