Understanding tendon aging and menopause in a mouse model
Official title: Mechanisms underlying tendon pathology in a murine model of menopause
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11447098 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study using a mouse model to uncover why tendon injuries are more common and harder to heal in aging, especially after menopause.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $680,011 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AG094740-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11447098 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are women or men experiencing tendon pain or injury related to aging or menopause, who could participate through tissue samples or future clinical studies.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without tendon issues or those outside the study's proposed models may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
This project uses advanced imaging and genetic techniques to study how aging and loss of estrogen affect tendon structure and healing. Researchers will examine how estrogen deficiency and aging change tendon cells, chromatin accessibility, and the tissue environment to drive pathology. The work aims to connect molecular changes with tendon function, potentially guiding therapies for postmenopausal patients with tendon problems.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could lead to better treatments or prevention strategies for tendon injuries in aging and postmenopausal people.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests hormones influence tendon health, but detailed mechanisms in aging tendons remain to be clarified.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Galloway, Jenna L — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Galloway, Jenna L
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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.