UCR receives major NIH grant for extending longevity

With age-related conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and dementia on the rise, the University of California, Riverside, is joining a major effort to develop treatments that delay aging and improve life for older adults.

The National Institute on Aging, part of the National Institutes of Health, has awarded a $45 million, five-year grant to a multi-institutional research initiative. The grant, titled the "Longevity Consortium," will support the development of interventions to promote healthy aging and longevity in humans.

Thomas Girke, a professor in UCR's Department of Botany and Plant Sciences, is one of two lead principal investigators of the initiative, with UCR receiving $2.7 million of the total grant.

"Because the population is graying, there is a higher risk for many age-related diseases. There is no cure for many of these, but it is possible to slow their advancement, and there is an urgent need to do so," Girke said. "That suggests we should prioritize living healthier for longer. This would mean less time away from loved ones due to illness, and less time spent in hospitals or nursing homes."

The research comes at a pivotal moment as the number of older adults in the United States continues to grow. Age-related diseases, including Alzheimer's, are a leading cause of disability and death, with significant societal and economic impacts. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 14 million Americans are expected to develop Alzheimer's by 2060. Delaying the onset of such diseases could significantly reduce healthcare costs and improve quality of life.

Girke's lab specializes in computational biology and drug discovery, leveraging large, existing datasets to uncover the biological mechanisms of healthy aging. These datasets include information on genetic, molecular, and environmental factors that contribute to resilience against dementia, heart disease, and other diseases common to aging populations.

By analyzing the genomes of centenarians and their families, Longevity Consortium researchers will identify genetic factors that help some individuals remain healthy into their 90s and beyond.

"Our goal is to develop interventions-whether they are drugs, supplements, or lifestyle changes-that can promote healthier aging for everyone," Girke said.

The research will also focus on repurposing existing drugs - a cost-effective strategy that can bring treatments to market faster than developing new compounds. In collaboration with experimental consortium laboratories, the research team will test promising compounds in cell cultures, followed by lifespan studies in mice. Compounds showing the most potential may advance to clinical trials. In some cases, they can be used as dietary supplements, which have an expedited approval process.

"Drug repurposing allows us to identify effective interventions without starting from scratch," Girke said.

The study will also draw from global "blue zones," regions known for their high concentrations of centenarians, including Loma Linda, California; Okinawa, Japan; and parts of the Mediterranean. These populations offer unique insights into how lifestyle, environment, and genetics intersect to support longer, healthier lives.

"This project not only enhances UCR's capabilities in drug discovery but also integrates our expertise in plant sciences," Girke said. "Natural compounds derived from plants have long been a source of medical breakthroughs. By connecting this research to UCR's agricultural innovations, we're opening new doors for health-related applications."

The five-year project strengthens UCR's growing commitment to aging research. Girke, currently the university's sole representative in the consortium, hopes the work will inspire broader participation and new collaborations across the institution.

The other principal investigator of the project is Nicholas Schork of the Translational Genomics Research Institute, and the leads for the individual projects within the grant include Richard Miller of the University of Michigan, Fred Gage of the Salk Institute, Jodi Lapidus of Oregon Health & Science University, Paola Sebastiani of Tufts Medical Center, and Ryan Tewhey of The Jackson Laboratory.

"This research is about more than just adding years to life; it's about adding life to years," Girke said. "By understanding the mechanisms of healthy aging, we're paving the way for a future where age-related diseases are delayed or even prevented."

(Cover image: SolStock/Getty)

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