Mapping aging cells across human tissues
Washington University Senescence Tissue Mapping Center (WU-SN-TMC)
This project maps aging (senescent) cells in four human tissues to learn how they change with age and affect health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11176071 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you donate tissue, researchers will analyze 500 human samples from bone marrow, breast, colon, and liver to build detailed atlases showing where and how senescent (aging) cells appear. The team will use advanced molecular profiling and imaging techniques, optimize lab methods, and create computational tools to identify senescent cells and their markers. The atlases will capture spatial and time-related patterns and the diversity of senescent cells across people and tissues. This work uses human tissue samples for foundational research rather than testing medical treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who can donate tissue samples—such as surgical patients, organ or tissue donors, or volunteers providing biopsies from breast, colon, liver, or bone marrow—are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients seeking an immediate treatment or cure for age-related conditions are unlikely to receive direct clinical benefit from this mapping project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could identify new markers and targets for treatments that reduce harmful aging cells and improve care for age-related diseases.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has identified senescent cells in cell and animal models, but building comprehensive human tissue atlases at this scale is relatively new and builds on recent molecular and imaging advances.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ding, Li — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Ding, Li
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.