Nathan Shock Centers of Excellence

Background

Nathan Shock Centers (NSCs) are a nationwide network that lead basic research into the biology of aging by providing expert resources, training, and funding for researchers. Overall, the Centers build scientific capacity and promote collaboration to accelerate discoveries about the fundamental processes of aging.

Key functions of NSCs are to:

• Provide direction and innovation in aging biology
• Offer access to advanced technologies and services (e.g., AI/bioinformatics, animal models, cell analysis)
• Administer small grants for promising new research ideas, leveraging their core facilities
• Mentor new scientists and offer workshops, symposiums, and networking for future leaders in the field
• Serve as expert resources for other investigators, sharing knowledge, methods, and data
• Organize national meetings and foster collaboration among aging researchers.

Current NSCs

• The Jackson Laboratory Nathan Shock Center
• Oklahoma Nathan Shock Center
• UT Health at San Antonio Nathan Shock Center
• University of Alabama at Birmingham Nathan Shock Center
• University of Minnesota Nathan Shock Center
• University of Washington Nathan Shock Center
• Upstate New York Nathan Shock Center
• Wisconsin Nathan Shock Center

Nathan Shock Centers Coordinating Center (NSC3)

The Nathan Shock Centers Coordinating Center (NSC3) aims to enhance the Nathan Shock Centers' external communication with the lay public, expand information resources and serve as scientific exchange forum among sites as well as other NIA- and NIH-funded, federal and privately funded initiatives promoting aging biology training and/or research. The NSC3 works directly with the NSC directors to develop and implement data quality control and sharing between centers and with the scientific community at large. The NSC3 also provides logistical support to the NSC for interactions with NIA staff and implements evaluation strategies for assessing the effectiveness of the research and activities of the Nathan Shock Centers.

Contact Information

For more information about the NSCs, contact Dr. Christy Carter, NIA ( christy.carter@nih.gov ).