Studying a protein (SIRT7) that affects aging and fat tissue
Official title: Elucidating functions of mammalian SIRT7 deacetylase in aging and disease
Funded at Veterans Admin Palo Alto Health Care Sys · NIH-11253269 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will try boosting a protein called SIRT7 to help protect older adults from age-related metabolic problems like type 2 diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Veterans Admin Palo Alto Health Care Sys NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Palo Alto, United States) |
| Project start | October 1, 2009 |
| Project end | December 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5I01BX000286-14 |
| Project ID | NIH-11253269 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People aged 65 and older who have or are at risk for adult-onset (type 2) diabetes or age-related metabolic problems would be the most relevant group for future clinical follow-up of this work.
✕Less likely to help
Younger people without metabolic risk factors or people with non-metabolic causes of illness are less likely to benefit directly from these findings in the near term.
What this research studies
Researchers are focusing on SIRT7, a protein that helps control gene activity in cells, to understand how it affects aging and fat tissue health. They will use lab-grown cells and mouse models to see what happens when SIRT7 activity is increased and how that changes key chromatin marks such as H3K36ac. The team will study fat cell function, whole-body metabolism, and signs of aging to link molecular changes with metabolic health. Findings may point to molecular targets that could eventually be tested in people.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new treatments that protect older adults from metabolic disease and improve healthy aging.
How similar studies have gone: Previous animal studies have linked SIRT7 to lifespan and aging signs, but deliberately increasing SIRT7 activity as a protective therapy is largely novel and not yet proven in humans.
Where this research is happening
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Veterans Admin Palo Alto Health Care Sys
Palo Alto, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chua, Katrin F. — Veterans Admin Palo Alto Health Care Sys
- Study coordinator: Chua, Katrin F.
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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.