Mouse model that mimics human telomere aging
A mouse model with humanized telomere homeostasis
This project creates mice whose chromosome ends (telomeres) behave like human telomeres to help people affected by aging-related diseases and cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pullman, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11091591 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Scientists are engineering mice by replacing mouse telomerase regulatory sequences with the human versions so the mice regulate telomeres more like people do. The team will track telomere length, telomerase activity, signs of cellular aging, and cancer development in these engineered mice. Results will be used to study how telomere shortening contributes to aging and to test interventions in a model that more closely reflects human biology. Over time this model aims to make preclinical tests of anti-aging and anti-cancer approaches more predictive for patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Although the project uses mice and does not enroll human participants, people with age-related conditions or cancer are the eventual beneficiaries of the work.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatments or looking to join a human clinical trial will not directly benefit because the grant supports preclinical animal research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this model could make laboratory studies of aging and cancer more relevant to people and speed development of better therapies.
How similar studies have performed: Related telomerase and telomere mouse models have informed aging and cancer biology, but creating mice with fully human-like telomere regulation is a newer step that builds on prior successes.
Where this research is happening
Pullman, United States
- Washington State University — Pullman, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhu, Jiyue — Washington State University
- Study coordinator: Zhu, Jiyue
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.