# Nathan Shock Center for Excellence in Basic Biology of Aging

> **NIH NIH P30** · JACKSON LABORATORY · 2020 · $1,069,526

## Abstract

OVERALL—PROJECT SUMMARY
Healthspan is a complex trait, influenced by many interacting polymorphic alleles and environmental factors that
may accelerate or delay aging, reduce or increase disease risk, and/or promote extended lifespan. Thus,
assessing the role of genetic variation in aging requires an experimental strategy capable of modeling the genetic
and biological complexity of human populations while allowing for efficient identification and validation of
candidate genes. With this proposal, the JAX NSC seeks support to further develop and disseminate the next
generation of genetic, phenotyping, and information resources necessary to enable a systems-wide approach to
understanding healthy aging. Over the past 15 years, The JAX NSC has transformed aging research both at
JAX and across the geroscience community, providing central resources to support investigators that have
resulted in 26 peer-reviewed publications in the last funding period. The Center has developed nascent regional
and national resources for aging research, including aging mouse resources and tissues that support our
numerous collaborations and external researchers. All JAX NSC data and tools are publicly disseminated on the
Mouse Phenome Database and the JAX NSC website, thus ensuring that the resources generated and expertise
acquired through the Center is readily available to the aging research community. In this renewal, we will advance
towards our goal by providing unique resources, tools, and support to geroscience investigators while leveraging
JAX's unparalleled expertise in the large-scale identification and functional validation of complex polygenic traits
in mice. We will do this by providing effective Center administration and enhancing the utility of JAX NSC
resources throughout the aging community (Aim 1); expanding the research focus on aging, healthspan and
age-related diseases through a robust Research Development Core (Aim 2); increasing the diversity of mouse
resources available for aging research, including a new study to, for the first time, investigate the effect of genetic
variation on cellular senescence and treatment with senolytic drugs (Aim 3); strengthening the data and
computational and support available to the aging community (Aim 4); expanding the use of machine learning
technologies in interpretation of aging pathologies (Aim 5). The Center will be led by a highly experienced team
of Principal Investigators and Core Leaders who, with oversight from an External Advisory Board, will provide
effective management to facilitate the goals and objectives of the Center. The Center will leverage unparalleled
institutional resources, facilities and expertise of The Jackson Laboratory, a globally renowned institution for
mouse genetics research, to enhance its goals and the utility of the resources it generates for the aging research
community.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10045024
- **Project number:** 2P30AG038070-11
- **Recipient organization:** JACKSON LABORATORY
- **Principal Investigator:** Gary A Churchill
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $1,069,526
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2010-08-15 → 2025-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10045024

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10045024, Nathan Shock Center for Excellence in Basic Biology of Aging (2P30AG038070-11). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10045024. Licensed CC0.

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