Arriaga, Distefano and Pierre groups awarded $2.2 million grant to study aging at the single cell level

MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (6/21/2024) – University of Minnesota Chemistry Professors Edgar Arriaga, Mark Distefano and Valerie Pierre along with Professor Doug Mashek (Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics) have been awarded a $2.2 million grant by the National Institute on Aging. The grant will support their research into applying single-cell methodologies to explore the molecular foundations of aging to inform the design and development of future treatments.

This interdisciplinary project capitalizes on their expertise in analytical, organic and inorganic chemistry to create new metal-containing probes that will be used in mass cytometry and ion beam imaging experiments to simultaneously monitor a wide variety of protein and nucleic acid analytes at the single cell level as the cells age. As noted by Principal Investigator Prof. Arriaga, "We are fortunate to be able to assemble this team from the department with diverse research expertise to tackle this complex problem using cutting edge technology."

The National Institute on Aging (NIA), one of the 27 Institutes and Centers of NIH, leads the federal government in conducting and supporting research on aging and the health and well-being of older people. The Institute seeks to understand the nature of aging and the aging process, and diseases and conditions associated with growing older, in order to extend the healthy, active years of life. NIA pursues their mission by funding extramural research at universities and medical centers across the United States and around the world; maintaining an active communications and outreach program; and conducting a vibrant intramural research program at NIA laboratories in Baltimore and Bethesda, Maryland.