Understanding how protein changes drive aging
Official title: Investigating protein supersaturation as a driver of aging
Funded at Stowers Institute for Medical Research · NIH-11076249 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain proteins clump together as we get older and how that might contribute to aging and related health issues, with the goal of finding new ways to help people stay healthier as they age.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stowers Institute for Medical Research NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Kansas City, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $78,892 |
| NIH project number | 5F32AG077876-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11076249 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults experiencing age-related health issues or those interested in understanding the biological mechanisms of aging.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are young and do not exhibit any signs of age-related diseases may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of protein aggregation in the aging process and age-related diseases. By examining how certain proteins become supersaturated and lead to cellular aging, the study aims to identify fundamental mechanisms that could be targeted for new therapies. The approach includes analyzing human fibroblasts from donors of various ages to understand the relationship between protein behavior and biological age. Techniques such as RNA sequencing and epigenetic clocks will be employed to gather insights into protein stability and aging.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to novel therapies that slow down the aging process and improve health in older adults.
How similar studies have gone: While the investigation of protein aggregation in aging is a well-studied area, the specific approach of examining supersaturation and its direct effects on aging is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Stowers Institute for Medical Research
Kansas City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Von Schulze, Alex — Stowers Institute for Medical Research
- Study coordinator: Von Schulze, Alex
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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.