Molecular mechanisms of cellular response to age-associated chromatin changes
Funded at Baylor College of Medicine · NIH-11549610 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study in yeast examines how aging-related changes to chromatin trigger a stress response that, when moderately activated, may extend lifespan and point to ways to counter aging.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $79,115 |
| NIH project number | 3R01AG081347-04S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11549610 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable to patients directly, as the study uses yeast models to understand aging biology; translation to human aging research may follow.
✕Less likely to help
No direct patient involvement or immediate clinical benefit within the scope of this project.
What this research studies
Researchers will use yeast models with reduced histone dosage to mimic aging-associated chromatin changes and study the chromatin architectural defects (CAD) response. They will investigate how CAD affects heterochromatin, transcription silencing, and cryptic transcription, and how TOR signaling and Isw2-related pathways influence this response. The project aims to uncover the regulators and effectors of CAD response and how metabolism interacts with this pathway to potentially extend healthy lifespan. Findings could reveal targets for interventions to counter aging and age-related diseases.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify new targets to promote healthy aging and delay age-related diseases by modulating chromatin stress responses.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies in model organisms suggest chromatin stress responses can influence longevity, supporting potential translational relevance.
Where this research is happening
-
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dang, Weiwei — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Dang, Weiwei
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.