Organ-specific biological age measurements
Organ-Specific Biological Age and Its Applications
Researchers are building blood-based tests that estimate how old individual organs are to help people track aging and tailor care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11318114 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you join, researchers may use small blood samples taken over time to read DNA methylation and protein signals that reflect aging in different organs. They will compare patterns in blood cell DNA and circulating cell-free DNA with organ-specific signals from other data to create organ-level biological age scores. These scores are meant to show whether a heart, liver, brain, or other organ is aging faster or slower than expected and could be used to monitor treatments. The team will combine data from many people and existing studies to make the measurements more reliable.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are adults willing to give blood samples (possibly repeatedly) and share health information so researchers can link blood signals to organ health.
Not a fit: People who cannot or will not provide blood samples, or whose health issues are unrelated to aging processes, are unlikely to benefit directly from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could give patients simple blood-based tools to detect organ-specific aging earlier and personalize treatments to keep organs healthier longer.
How similar studies have performed: Previous epigenetic 'aging clock' studies have shown promise using blood methylation, while organ-specific and cell-free DNA approaches are newer but build on existing successful methods.
Where this research is happening
New Haven, United States
- Yale University — New Haven, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Higgins-Chen, Albert Tzongyang — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Higgins-Chen, Albert Tzongyang
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.