Understanding How Stem Cells Age

Molecular Regulation of Stem Cell Aging

NIH-funded research University of California Los Angeles · NIH-11103159

This project aims to understand why our body's stem cells lose their ability to repair and renew tissues as we get older.

Quick facts

Grant typeP01 program project
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California Los Angeles NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Los Angeles, United States)
Project IDNIH-11103159 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

As we age, our body's ability to heal and regenerate can slow down, often because our stem cells don't work as well. This project explores the tiny, molecular changes that happen in stem cells over time, including changes in their genes and how they use energy. We believe that understanding these changes could help us find ways to make aged stem cells work better, potentially restoring youthful repair abilities to tissues. The team is also looking at how factors in the blood and the environment around stem cells might influence their aging process, and how these changes might select for less effective stem cells.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This foundational research is for anyone interested in the biology of aging and future therapies that could improve tissue repair and regeneration in older adults.

Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate clinical treatments for age-related conditions would not directly benefit from this basic science project.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that slow down, stop, or even reverse the decline in stem cell function, helping tissues stay healthy and repair themselves better as we age.

How similar studies have performed: This program builds upon existing innovative work from the participating laboratories, suggesting a foundation of prior success and novel approaches in understanding stem cell aging.

Where this research is happening

Los Angeles, 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.