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NIA’s investments in essential basic science to explore the molecular and cellular mechanisms that underlie aging deepen our understanding of how we can all lead longer, healthier lives. As the acting director of NIA’s Division of Aging Biology (DAB) , I’m fortunate to serve alongside a talented and dedicated team working to catalyze research in aging biology. As we wind down this year of commemorating NIA’s 50th anniversary, I’d like to reflect on a few key milestones in our institute’s aging biology efforts and offer a look ahead to an exciting future.
A strong foundation of discovery and scientific infrastructure
Over the years, NIA has built a solid foundation of research infrastructure, discoveries, and resources for the broader scientific community. DAB highlights of note include:
- Nathan Shock Centers: Since their creation in 1995, the Nathan Shock Centers of Excellence in the Basic Biology of Aging (NSCs) have evolved into national mentorship, training, and career development resources and as hubs that connect NIA-supported scientists with collaborative opportunities. NSCs have achieved several impactful discoveries in cell biology and aging physiology, such as identifying pathways for cellular senescence, launching the field of gero-oncology, improving understanding of mitochondrial function, and integrating data from animal models to humans.
- Robust biological resources: NIA is proud to continue developing essential biological resources for aging research . One example is our Interventions Testing Program , a collaborative effort to rigorously test and identify compounds that promote healthy aging. We also lead the Aging Rodent Colony, a unique resource for animal models; and the Caenorhabditis Intervention Testing Program , a consortium testing a broad array of compounds for their effects on longevity and other biomarkers of aging.
- Advancing the field of geroscience: NIA continues to cultivate the multidisciplinary field of geroscience in a quest for extending the healthy years of life through innovative explorations of the basic biology of aging and developing ways to enhance health by intervening upon those pathways. For more than a decade, we’ve brought scientists together via the Trans-NIH Geroscience Interest Group and Geroscience Summits while supporting strategic funding and training opportunities for scientists in this emerging area.
- Progress in HIV research: Thanks to major therapeutic advances, people living with HIV are leading much longer and healthier lives. This significant progress has led to new challenges as many adults living with HIV experience early onset of age-related conditions such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, metabolic disorders, kidney disease, and cognitive impairment. NIA is building a broad portfolio of related HIV and aging research opportunities to address this important issue.
- NIH Common Fund initiatives: Our team continues to join colleagues from across NIH in key collaborative efforts. These include the Cellular Senescence Network , which is designed to identify and characterize senescent cells across multiple tissues and organs and map how they affect human health and lifespan. Through the Human Virome Program , scientists are exploring the role of endogenous viruses in health and disease, including impacts on the pace of aging. The Complement Animal Research in Experimentation project focuses on the development, testing, and validation of new tools for basic, translational, and clinical science that are complementary to animal models.
Innovations on the horizon
There is much to look forward to in the coming decades! We are proud to support novel research on topics including:
- Biological heterogeneity of aging, including its role in the biological underpinnings of health disparities
- Women’s health and sex differences in aging
- Immune system aging, immunosenescence, and inflammaging
- Understanding how changes in the microbiome and virome affect aging
- Development of a geroscience toolkit of aging biomarkers and model systems
- Emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence/machine learning, microphysiological systems, and omics tools for interrogating aging processes
Importantly, NIA continues its overarching commitment to growing and training the next generation of aging biology scientists while ensuring the core principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion are integrated in all the research we support.
Stay connected!
NIA will continue to collaborate with those representing multiple research disciplines to eagerly explore complex aging research challenges to uncover a more holistic understanding of aging biology. Learn more by visiting the DAB homepage , emailing me , or leaving a comment below!
50th Anniversary Diversity Scientific Resources 2024-12-11T00:00:00Z