Understanding how to reverse age-related fertility decline using planarians
Official title: Reversal of Age-Associated Damage in the Planarian Germline
Funded at Yale University · NIH-11002343 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how getting older affects fertility by using a special type of flatworm that can heal itself and even reverse some aging effects, with the hope of finding ways to help people facing fertility challenges as they age.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $48,974 |
| NIH project number | 5F31AG081110-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11002343 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing age-related fertility issues, particularly those between the ages of 18 and 45.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not experiencing fertility issues or are outside the age range of 18 to 45 may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms behind age-related fertility decline by studying the planarian species S. mediterranea, which can regenerate and reverse aging effects. The project aims to identify how aging affects fertility at the cellular level and how regeneration can restore fertility. By bisecting the planarians and observing their regenerative processes, the research seeks to uncover potential interventions that could address fertility issues associated with aging in humans.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that restore fertility in aging individuals.
How similar studies have gone: While there is limited research on reversing aging in fertility, the unique regenerative capabilities of planarians suggest a novel approach that has not been extensively tested in this context.
Where this research is happening
-
Yale University
New Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Verdesca, Andrew — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Verdesca, Andrew
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Aging Well with HIV: Alcohol, Risk Reduction, and Education Center (AWAR3E)
A center at Yale is exploring how aging with HIV interacts with alcohol use to create inflammation and frailty, with the goal of finding biomarkers and potential treatments.
-
Community Health Worker–Led Hypertension Prevention and Control in Nepal
A community health worker–driven approach in Nepal aims to prevent and control high blood pressure among adults by bringing education and care directly to communities and homes.
-
Community health worker-led hypertension prevention and control in Nepal
A community health worker–led program in Nepal aims to help adults prevent and better control high blood pressure through home visits, education, and ongoing support.
-
Adapting a mobile health tool to boost HIV outcomes for older adults with HIV in Ukraine
A mobile health platform called PositiveLinks would be adapted for older adults with HIV in Ukraine to help them stay engaged in care and improve treatment success.
-
Behavioral and neural links between spoken language sounds and written words in young children
This grant studies how young children learn from listening and reading to improve literacy, by looking at how sound patterns transfer to written language.
-
Understanding how autoimmunity causes myasthenia gravis
This project looks at why the immune system attacks the nerve-muscle connection in myasthenia gravis and how different patient groups are affected.
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.