Premature aging in World Trade Center responders
Official title: Premature biological aging among WTC responders
Funded at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · NIH-11387174 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying whether responders to the 9/11 cleanup experience faster aging at a biological level, which could affect their health as they get older.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2025 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $279,859 |
| NIH project number | 5R21OH012945-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11387174 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Male and female World Trade Center responders with documented exposure and available biological samples for methylation analysis.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without WTC exposure or with non-relevant health conditions may not directly benefit from this study.
What this research studies
This project looks at whether exposure to the World Trade Center disaster accelerates aging at the DNA level in male responders. It uses epigenetic clocks based on DNA methylation to estimate biological age and compare it to actual age. The goal is to understand how the exposure might contribute to higher risks of age-related diseases, including cancer, in this population. The study builds on prior findings in women and aims to extend insights to male rescue and recovery workers to guide future health monitoring and interventions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could help identify biomarkers of accelerated aging in responders and inform personalized health monitoring and prevention strategies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown altered DNA methylation and accelerated aging related to WTC exposure, with some findings already demonstrated in women; this study extends to men.
Where this research is happening
-
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tuminello, Stephanie Jane — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Tuminello, Stephanie Jane
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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.