Stopping and reversing harmful aging in cells
Reverse Engineering of Cell Senescence
['FUNDING_R01'] · HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL · NIH-11242052
Finding drugs that clear or repair damaged 'senescent' cells to help older adults stay healthier.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (BOSTON, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11242052 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
From your perspective, this work tries to understand why some cells enter a damaged, non-working 'senescent' state and how to reverse or remove them. Researchers use mouse experiments, cultured cells, and genetic tools such as CRISPR to map different types of senescent cells and to measure cell size, mass, protein, and lipid changes. They will test candidate drugs (including early senolytic leads like dasatinib) and study how cells respond to stresses such as radiation or DNA damage. The goal is to identify approaches that can be translated from animals and lab cells into safer, effective treatments for people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for future trials would be older adults or people with age-related conditions who might benefit from therapies that remove or fix senescent cells.
Not a fit: Young, healthy people without age-related tissue damage are unlikely to see direct benefit from this preclinical work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could produce drugs or therapies that reduce age-related tissue damage and improve health during aging.
How similar studies have performed: Previous mouse studies have shown that removing senescent cells can reverse several aging features, but human testing of senolytic therapies remains limited and early.
Where this research is happening
BOSTON, UNITED STATES
- HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL — BOSTON, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: KIRSCHNER, MARC WALLACE — HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL
- Study coordinator: KIRSCHNER, MARC WALLACE
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.