# Training in Molecular Epidemiology: Linking Genes to Physical Function in Older Adults

> **NIH NIH K01** · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · 2021 · $116,513

## Abstract

Age-related declines in physical function are common and lead to increased health care costs, institutionalization and
mortality. As a traditional epidemiologist with unique expertise in skeletal muscle aging and physical function, I have
researched lifestyle interventions (weight loss, aerobic and resistance training) to prevent age-related declines in physical
function. However, lifestyle changes are difficult to adopt, especially for those at the highest risk for functional decline. To
extend the benefits of these interventions, it is imperative to understand biological processes underlying changes in function
with aging and following intervention. As such, the current proposal will provide the candidate with advanced training in
molecular epidemiology and biology of aging, yield novel insight on the genetic and biological basis of physical function
among older adults and lay the foundation for future research. Specially, Aim 1 will identify genes and genetic variants for
physical function and changes in physical function with aging. Aim 2 will examine blood RNA expression for components
of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) pathway, which is implicated in muscle dysfunction and pathogenic fibrosis,
with physical function and its change with aging. Aim 3 will test if serum levels of TGF-β and procollagen type 3 N-
terminal propeptide (P3NP - a biomarker of pathogenic fibrosis) are related physical function among older adults. I will
leverage robustly collected physical function measures, biological samples, and an ultra-high-density genome-wide
polymorphism map from the NIA-funded Long Life Family Study (LLFS), a multi-center study of exceptional aging and
longevity in families and from
The Cohorts for Heart and Aging Research in Genomic Epidemiology (CHARGE)
Consortium
. The proposed research and training is very innovative. First, despite being implicated in several age-related
conditions there have been no human studies that have examined the relationship between TGF-β or P3NP and physical
function. Further, LLFS has a large number of “oldest old”, who are understudied and at the highest risk for functional
decline. There has also been limited research on the genetics of physical function. The proposed career development award
will provide the applicant with essential new mentorship, knowledge and skills in human genetics and molecular
epidemiology including but not limited to blood RNA expression and protein biomarker development (Aim 2 and 3),
genome wide association (GWA) and linkage analyses (Aim 1
), meta-analysis
(Aim 1) and bioinformatics (Aim 1)
approaches to follow-up association and linkage analyses. Finally, this award will be critical for facilitating my transition
to an independent research career in aging and molecular epidemiology with a focus on physical function. As an
epidemiologist with expertise in both traditional and molecular methods,
I will be well-positioned to contribute to the
advancement of the evolving ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10143152
- **Project number:** 5K01AG057726-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH
- **Principal Investigator:** Adam J Santanasto
- **Activity code:** K01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $116,513
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-08-01 → 2023-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10143152

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10143152, Training in Molecular Epidemiology: Linking Genes to Physical Function in Older Adults (5K01AG057726-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10143152. Licensed CC0.

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