San Antonio OAIC - Molecular Phenotyping Resource Core 3 (MPRC3)

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT – MOLECULAR PHENOTYPING RESOURCE CORE 3 The SA OAIC Molecular Phenotyping Resource Core 3 (MPRC3) is a new resource that provides essential tools to determine the dynamic changes in molecular and metabolic phenotyping that occur at the whole-body, tissue, cellular and subcellular levels in older individuals. The MPRC3 will also support quantification of the metabolic effects of age, disease, physical activity, and geroscience interventions; determine the basic mechanisms that underlie these changes; and identify novel biomarkers and predictors of the responses to interventions. The key services include support for measures of metabolic and other molecular phenotyping such as targeted metabolomics, functional lipidomics, mitochondrial function, metabolic flux, energy expenditure, protein turnover, biomarkers of aging, pathology and histology, cellular senescence, single cell and single nucleus RNAseq, ATAC-seq, and epigenetics of aging. The MPRC3 will promote the integration of molecular, cellular, histologic, and tracer methodologies within individual experiments in non-human primates and humans, to discover the mechanisms that underlie specific pathophysiologic responses in older adults. Overall, MPRC3 will promote and support basic and translational research relevant to the SA OAIC theme: “Translational geroscience to improve the health and functional independence of all older adults.” The Specific Aims of the MPRC3 are: 1. Provide analytical support to discover new biomarkers and determine the efficacy of geroscience interventions on molecular targets. 2. Develop new methods to study the basic mechanisms underlying translational geroscience. 3. Train early-stage investigators in the analytic and methodologic aspects of translational geroscience to improve function and health in older adults. In the first year of the next cycle, we will support two Pilot studies, three Developmental projects, three Scholars' projects, and seven externally funded projects. We will also develop novel translational methods and test the molecular impact of novel gerotherapeutics. MPRC3 support will yield new analytical data crucial to external funding. We will innovate and enhance our new resource core to further promote basic and translational research to achieve our OAIC goal to increase scientific knowledge to improve the health and functional independence of all older adults.