Map of aging (senescent) cells in the lung and heart
TriState SenNET (Lung and Heart) Tissue Map and Atlas consortium
Making a detailed map of aging-related (senescent) cells in human lungs and hearts to help people with age-related lung and heart problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11176257 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will analyze human lung and heart tissue using high-resolution molecular tools to identify and map senescent (aging) cell types. They will profile different cell types and the molecular drivers that produce senescent features, including in post-mitotic cells like heart muscle cells. The team plans to produce an atlas and best-practice assays (including ATAC-seq and other molecular measurements) that other researchers can use. The results are intended to guide future tests and therapies that target harmful aging cells.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with age-related heart or lung conditions who can provide tissue samples through surgery, biopsy, or tissue-donation programs at participating centers.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment or those without lung or heart disease are unlikely to receive direct clinical benefit from this mapping project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could guide development of tests and targeted treatments that remove or modify harmful aging cells in heart and lung diseases.
How similar studies have performed: Large tissue-atlas projects and early preclinical work on senescent cells have mapped cell types and suggested targets, but applying these methods specifically to human lung and heart senescence is a newer effort.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Finkel, Toren — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Finkel, Toren
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 below.