Why different species, including humans, age at different rates
Official title: Cross-Species and Evolutionary Biology
Funded at Translational Genomics Research Inst · NIH-11195704 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks across many animals to find genetic and molecular clues that might help people live healthier, longer lives.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Translational Genomics Research Inst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Phoenix, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2004 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,605,566 |
| NIH project number | 5U19AG023122-17 |
| Project ID | NIH-11195704 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants would be people interested in contributing samples or data to longevity research or those willing to work with research centers studying human aging.
✕Less likely to help
People seeking an immediate clinical treatment or cure are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this basic and translational research in the short term.
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, researchers are comparing DNA and gene activity from animals with very long and very short lifespans to spot patterns that matter for aging. They will use powerful computer algorithms and high-throughput lab tests to find regulatory DNA changes and genes linked to longevity. Promising findings will be tested in lab models that mimic human neurons to see which effects are most relevant to human aging. The goal is to point to biological pathways that could one day guide therapies for age-related decline.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal biological targets or pathways that lead to new treatments to delay aging or prevent age-related diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Previous animal and genomic studies have found genes and pathways that influence lifespan, but applying broad cross-species genomics to identify human-relevant targets is still an emerging approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Translational Genomics Research Inst
Phoenix, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tewhey, Ryan — Translational Genomics Research Inst
- Study coordinator: Tewhey, Ryan
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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.