Understanding Frailty and Aging

Development of a Predictive Frailty Clock & Longitudinal Investigation of its Epigenetic Determinants

NIH-funded research Institute for Systems Biology · NIH-11322958

This research helps us understand how frailty develops in aging, using advanced tools to predict health changes over time.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionInstitute for Systems Biology NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Seattle, United States)
Project IDNIH-11322958 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This project aims to create a "frailty clock" that can predict how long an individual might live and track their overall health as they age. While the initial work is done in mice, the insights gained are directly relevant to human aging and frailty. By looking at various health measures, including blood samples, we hope to identify early signs of frailty and understand its underlying biological causes. This could eventually lead to better ways to keep people healthier for longer.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This foundational research is relevant to anyone interested in understanding the aging process and preventing age-related frailty.

Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate clinical interventions or direct treatment options will not find direct benefit from this basic science project.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to predict and potentially prevent frailty in people, helping them maintain their health and independence as they age.

How similar studies have performed: Previous work has successfully validated a mouse frailty index and used machine learning to predict lifespan, building a strong foundation for this project.

Where this research is happening

Seattle, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.