Cell Biology Branch and Programs

The Cell Biology Branch focuses on the basic molecular mechanisms believed to underlie age-related dysfunction and deficit accumulation, with a focus on molecular studies, performed primarily in cell culture, model organisms, and humans. Research supported by this branch includes genetic, cell biological, and metabolic changes that affect the length and/or quality of life in human and animal models. All portfolios within the branch support research on biomarkers of aging. Multidisciplinary approaches and advanced technologies are encouraged to achieve a more comprehensive understanding of the molecular determinants of aging and longevity across the full arc of biological systems — from molecules, genes, signal pathways, organelles to cells and organisms.

Programs

The Cell Biology Branch has a broad array of programs that support research on the basic molecular mechanisms believed to underlie age-related dysfunction. Explore details about each program below:

Genetics Program

This program encompasses genetics and genomics research to identify and characterize molecular mechanisms that affect longevity and healthy aging. Topics may include:

  • Genetics, epigenetics, and chromatin biology
  • DNA damage and genomic instability
  • Genetic and stochastic variations and aging heterogeneity
  • Human genetics of healthy aging
  • Genes and mechanisms controlling the rate of aging
  • Biology of telomere, retrotransposons, and other repetitive elements
  • RNA biology and metabolism (RNA editing, splicing, modification, noncoding RNAs)

Program Contact: Max Guo , Ph.D.

Bioenergetics and Metabolic Regulation Program

This program supports research that examines the role of metabolism and related cellular and molecular pathways in aging and age-related morbidities. Topics may include:

  • Aging-related mitochondrial function, fitness, and integrity
  • Nutrient-sensing and metabolism: metabolic pathways and metabolic hormone signaling (including metabolites)
  • Metabolic syndrome & sequelae
  • Free radicals, oxidative stress, and redox signaling

Acting Program Contacts: Max Guo , Ph.D. and Yi-Ping Fu , Ph.D.

Cell Biology Program

This program explores the effects of aging on cellular structures, pathways, and quality control processes. Topics may include:

  • Cell cycle, cell trafficking, and cellular signaling
  • Autophagy, cellular senescence, and apoptosis
  • Protein homeostasis mechanisms, including translation and post-translational control, age-dependent protein damage accumulation, and protein aggregation/degradation
  • Molecular aspects of circadian rhythm and aging

Program Contact: Andras Orosz , Ph.D.

Extracellular Matrix and Fibrosis Program

This program focuses on supporting research into molecular and biological age-related changes in connective tissue and their roles in cell adhesion, movement, communication, and cell growth, differentiation, and repair across cells, tissues, and organs, including aging-related skin conditions. Topics may include:

  • Cell structure and cytoskeleton
  • Fibrosis
  • Wound healing
  • Age-related changes in cellular microenvironment/extracellular matrix
  • Extracellular vesicles and exosomes

Acting Program Contact: Andras Orosz , Ph.D.

Systems Biology and Molecular Epidemiology Program

This program aims to broaden the understanding of aging as a risk factor for functional decline that permits or contributes to dysfunction, deficit accumulation and/or morbidities at the population level. Topics may include:

  • Multi-omic and other systems approaches for high-dimensional data to study aging and longevity
  • Development of biomarkers of aging (including clocks) in humans and other animals
  • Mechanistic relationships between environmental exposures (exposome) and rates of aging
  • Connections and integration between cross-sectional and longitudinal human population studies on aging

Program Contact: Yi-Ping Fu , Ph.D.

Contact Information

Branch Chief:

Max Guo , Ph.D.

Program Officers:
Yi-Ping Fu , Ph.D.
Andras Orosz , Ph.D.

Looking for program officials? Use the Matchmaker tool in the NIH RePORTER to easily find staff associated with specific projects or types of research. Enter abstracts, research bios, or other scientific text, and explore a list of similar projects and program officials from the RePORTER.

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