Understanding aging and fat liver biology through Senescent Cell Mapping
Official title: Administrative Supplement to: Minnesota Tissue Mapping Center for Senescent Cells
Funded at University of Minnesota · NIH-11518632 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A donation-backed project to map senescent cells in human fat and liver to learn how aging affects health and disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2021 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $499,933 |
| NIH project number | 3U54AG076041-05S3 |
| Project ID | NIH-11518632 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults across a range of ages, particularly those near or facing age-related health challenges, could contribute tissue samples or data.
✕Less likely to help
People without opportunities to participate in tissue mapping or related analyses may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project builds a tissue-mapping effort in humans to identify where senescent cells accumulate in adipose tissue and liver and how they interact with the immune system. Researchers will create detailed 3-D maps and spatial atlases to reveal patterns across aging. The work aims to translate findings from animal studies into human biology to guide safer, more effective aging interventions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: It could lead to safer therapies that target aging processes to improve health and resilience in older adults.
How similar studies have gone: Previous animal studies showed that removing senescent cells improves health, and human tissue mapping is expanding to understand this in people.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Niedernhofer, Laura Jane — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Niedernhofer, Laura Jane
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Investigating biological markers related to human reproduction and development
This study is looking at how different factors in our bodies affect reproduction and the health of children and teens, and it's for anyone interested in understanding more about these important topics by analyzing samples like blood and urine without changing anything in their daily lives.
-
AI-powered liver cancer screening using ultrasound blood flow patterns
A new AI-based method analyzes liver blood flow signals to help detect liver cancer early in people with liver disease, especially in settings with limited resources.
-
Caregiver-led mobile tool to support healthy habits for kids treated for ALL
A caregiver-directed mobile program helps children who were treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia build healthier daily routines.
-
Understanding how survivorship care plans affect health outcomes for cancer survivors
A study will look at whether survivorship care plans help reduce deaths and improve health for adults who have survived cancer.
-
Understanding the experience of ovarian cancer after diagnosis to improve survivorship
This NIH grant funds a mixed-methods study to better understand physical and emotional challenges faced by ovarian cancer survivors and how supportive care can help them live better after diagnosis.
-
Minnesota Population Center: a hub for migration, family and community data science
A university research center helps researchers study population dynamics by sharing data, training researchers, and communicating findings to diverse audiences.
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.