Rejuvenating cells by resetting key gene regulators
Cellular and Tissue Rejuvenation through Transcriptional Reprogramming
Researchers are changing key gene switches in human cells to try to make them act younger, with the goal of helping age‑related tissue decline.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11307583 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From your point of view, scientists grow human skin (fibroblast) cells that have become 'old' after many rounds of growth and use CRISPR and other gene tools to turn on or off many transcription factors. They run a high‑throughput Perturb‑seq screen that reads gene expression in thousands of single cells to find which regulators shift old cells toward a younger pattern. The team has already identified four promising factors (E2F3, EZH2, STAT3, ZFX) that change the aging signature and will test these further in cells and tissues. The long-term aim is to find safer, more potent alternatives to existing reprogramming factors that could guide future therapies to restore tissue function.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Although the project is lab‑based and not enrolling people now, its findings would be most relevant to older adults and people with conditions linked to tissue aging.
Not a fit: People needing immediate medical treatment or those with unrelated acute illnesses are unlikely to get direct benefit from this laboratory research right now.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to treatments that restore youthful function to cells and tissues and slow age‑related decline.
How similar studies have performed: Earlier work using Yamanaka factors has rejuvenated tissues and extended lifespan in mice, but searching for safer human‑specific factors is a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Li, Hao — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Li, Hao
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.