Understanding How Aging Stem Cells Affect Health
Molecular Regulation of Stem Cell Aging
This project explores how changes in our aging blood stem cells might contribute to conditions like heart disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11103195 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Aging tissues often show a loss of genetic diversity as certain cell types grow more than others, a process called clonal evolution. In blood, this is known as clonal hematopoiesis (CH), which can increase the risk for blood cancers and speed up other age-related diseases, including heart disease. We want to understand how these altered blood cells affect other parts of the body and promote illness. This project uses a mouse model to study natural CH and investigate how specific genetic changes, like those in DNMT3A, influence distant tissues. We are observing how these changes develop over time in mice to learn more about their impact on overall health.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research does not directly involve patient participation but aims to understand the underlying causes of age-related diseases, particularly atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate new treatments or direct clinical intervention would not benefit from this basic science project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help us understand how aging blood cells contribute to diseases like heart disease, potentially leading to new ways to prevent or treat these conditions.
How similar studies have performed: The concept of clonal hematopoiesis is a recognized area of growing research, with prior studies linking it to various age-related diseases, but this project aims to establish a novel experimental mouse model for natural CH.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, United States
- University of California Los Angeles — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Goodell, Margaret a. — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Goodell, Margaret a.
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.