Understanding how mutations in healthy cells relate to aging
Official title: Somatic mutation rates in healthy aging
Funded at Case Western Reserve University · NIH-11080366 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how tiny changes in our healthy cells might build up over time and affect how we age, using blood samples from many people to see if these changes are linked to health and aging-related issues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Case Western Reserve University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $623,672 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG081622-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11080366 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are healthy individuals of various ages who are willing to provide blood samples and health information.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with existing serious health conditions or those who are not willing to participate in blood sampling may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the accumulation of somatic mutations in healthy cells over time and their potential role in the aging process. By utilizing advanced sequencing technologies, the study aims to measure mutation rates in blood samples from large cohorts, including data on individual health, lifestyle, and environmental factors. The goal is to uncover how these mutation rates vary among individuals and their possible links to aging-related diseases and mortality. This comprehensive approach could provide new insights into the biological mechanisms of aging.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and potentially new strategies for preventing or treating aging-related diseases.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of measuring somatic mutation rates in large populations is relatively novel, similar studies have shown promising results in understanding genetic contributions to aging.
Where this research is happening
-
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shoag, Jonathan — Case Western Reserve University
- Study coordinator: Shoag, Jonathan
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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.