Organ-specific proteomics clocks to monitor and unravel the dynamics of age-related disease
Description: This proposal entails a pioneering study on organ-specific proteomic aging clocks in the Asklepios cohort (currently 55 – 75 years old, apparently healthy at study inclusion). Capitalizing on high-throughput SomaScan 7K proteomics data for over 1200 Asklepios volunteers, measured at two time points ten years apart (with further follow-up of health-related events), and recently published organ-specific proteomics aging clocks across eleven major human organs (Nature cover publication, Oh et al., 2023), we aim at evaluating whether organ-specific proteomic clocks can be used for routine early detection of aging-related disease. Though we will focus on vascular and heart aging, supported by extensive phenotyping in this cohort, the aging process of other organs (lungs, pancreas, kidney) will also be monitored. By studying the impact of lifestyle and pharmaceutical intervention in between both rounds, the unique longitudinal design will also enable us to evaluate whether organ-specific proteomic ages can be used as straightforward proxy to evaluate the impact of any intervention on aging. Finally, key proteins in the proteomic aging clocks will be identified. For these proteins, Mendelian Randomization and other omics studies will allow us to study causal impact and verify relevance, potentially leading to new therapeutic targets for aging-related disease. In summary, this project provides an innovative strategy to monitor and unravel the dynamics of aging-related disease.
Funder: Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek
Funding type: fellowship
Funder scheme: FWO fellowships
Start date: 2024-11-01
End date: 2028-10-31
Investigators: Robbe Neirynck, Ernst Rietzschel
Institution: UGent
Funded outputs count: 0
Funder award ID: 11A4425N
OpenAlex ID: G731563091