The aging research initiatives at The Jackson Laboratory are at the forefront of understanding why we age and how we can live healthier, longer lives. By combining genetics, molecular biology, and cutting-edge research, our scientists study the mechanisms of aging and age-related diseases, translating discoveries from the lab into real-world insights and potential therapies.
The goal of the Shock Center is to to enhance research into the basic biology of aging. In addition, it develops and provides technological and intellectual resources as well as facilitating the planning and coordination of research on aging activities.
The Interventions Testing Program (ITP) began in 2004 with sites at JAX, the University of Michigan, and the University of Texas Health Sciences Center. The program tests diets, drugs, or other interventions to see if they prevent disease and extend lifespan in mice.
The SenNet Consortium is a large-scale national effort to study the biology and potential deleterious effects of senescent cells. Senescent cells stop dividing over time and in response to stress, but they are not eliminated from the body.