A core tenet of the geroscience concept is that multiple human diseases arise from aging itself. Thus, the central theme of the San Antonio (SA) Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center (OAIC) is translational geroscience ? moving research on the basic biology of aging from the laboratory bench to the clinic, with the overarching goal of promoting healthy aging and developing desperately needed treatments, mainly pharmacological, for aging-related diseases. This goal is achieved through the following Aims: 1) Expand the knowledge base in translational geroscience by catalyzing transformative research; 2) Create a cadre of multidisciplinary early-stage investigators with customized expertise in translational geroscience; 3) Serve as a resource and partner to investigators from other OAICs and institutions; and 4) Provide intellectual leadership, disseminate knowledge, and stimulate discussion on translational geroscience-related themes. The SA OAIC achieves these Aims through a Leadership and Administrative Core (LAC) that directs operations and sponsors several enrichment and dissemination activities; a Pilot and Exploratory Studies Core (PESC) that provides merit-based support for rigorously designed studies; a Research Education Component (REC) that expands a greatly needed cadre of uniquely qualified scientists cross-trained in aging biology and translational geroscience; a Pre-Clinical Research Core (RC1) which supports research in marmoset monkeys; a Clinical Research and Pharmacology Core (RC2) that delivers comprehensive trial support for recruitment/retention, assessments, pharmacology, and data management; and a Trial Design and Integrative Informatics Core (RC3) that provides comprehensive study design, biostatistics and informatics services. During the ~4 years since its funding, the SA OAIC supported 46 PIs, performing transformative translational geroscience-focused research in essentially all pillars/hallmarks of aging. For example, RC1 is conducting the only known lifespan and healthspan study on mTOR inhibitors in nonhuman primates. RC2 and RC3 carried out the first trial on rapamycin to examine immune and cognitive effects in healthy older adults and performed the first-in-man studies on senolytics. The OAIC supported 10 Scholars who are making transformative discoveries (e.g. first demonstration of cellular senescence as a key mediator of Alzheimer's pathology) and receiving highly competitive career development awards from the NIA/AFAR (Beeson, Irene Diamond) and the VA. The SA OAIC is built on a unique foundation provided by UTHSCSA's exceptional and tightly integrated resources: a Nathan Shock Center, a site of the Interventions Testing Program (ITP), a GRECC, a T32 Training Grant on Geroscience, and a robust Barshop Institute that unites aging research at UTHSCSA. We are the only OAIC with all of these synergistic components available. In addition, the SA OAIC receives unparalleled institutional commitment (~$600,000/year), including a new ~$100M 109,000 sq. ft. building ? specific for the Barshop Institute ? that will house the OAIC, Shock Center, and the ITP in a centrally located facility.
- OVERALL The aging process plays a key role in the development of chronic disease, disability and the loss of independence. The goal of our program is to develop new interventions to promote healthy aging and maintenance of independence in older adults.
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