Understanding Blood Changes and Healthy Aging
Clonal Hematopoiesis Aging Resiliency Mechanisms
This project looks at why some older individuals stay healthy despite common age-related changes in their blood cells.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11166458 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
As we get older, our blood cells can develop small changes in their DNA, called clonal hematopoiesis (CH). While CH is linked to higher risks for heart disease, infections, and cancer, some people live to be very old without these problems, even with CH. This research aims to discover what makes these individuals resilient, focusing on factors that control how these changed blood cells grow and spread. We will use large collections of blood samples taken over time to understand why some CH cells expand quickly and others do not, and how this affects health. Our goal is to find genetic and environmental reasons behind these differences, hoping to uncover ways to promote healthier aging.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Individuals with clonal hematopoiesis, especially those who are very old and have remained healthy, are the focus of this research.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have clonal hematopoiesis or are not in the older age groups may not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to protect people from age-related diseases like heart disease and cancer by understanding how to manage these blood cell changes.
How similar studies have performed: While the concept of clonal hematopoiesis is known, this research uses novel large-scale, long-term blood sample collections to explore previously unknown factors influencing its impact on health.
Where this research is happening
Nashville, United States
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center — Nashville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bick, Alexander — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Bick, Alexander
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.