UC San Diego Engineer Secures Grant to Investigate Aging in Cells

Professor Zeinab Jahed from the Aiiso Yufeng Li Family Department of Chemical and Nano Engineering at the University of California San Diego has been awarded a seed grant from the Hypothesis Fund. This funding will support her research into how aging affects brain and heart cells, specifically focusing on cells that do not divide, such as neurons and cardiomyocytes.

While much of the research surrounding aging has concentrated on dividing cells, those that remain post-mitotic exhibit significant signs of aging. Jahed posits that the aging process in these cells may be linked to the deterioration of the nuclear membrane, which serves as a protective barrier for a cell’s DNA. Her new project aims to investigate this hypothesis.

Research Methodology and Technology

Jahed’s team will employ cutting-edge nanotechnology developed in her lab to create and observe small ruptures in the nuclear membrane in real time. The technology utilizes an array of nanosized pillars that can gently breach the cell nucleus without harming the surrounding cell structure. When a cell is positioned atop this array, its nucleus conforms around the pillars, forming local curvatures in the nuclear membrane. These curvatures lead to the formation of tiny, self-sealing ruptures.

Researchers will analyze how well live cells manage to repair these ruptures and whether their repair capabilities decline with age. The study will focus on neurons and cardiomyocytes derived from established aging models at UC San Diego. Key metrics will include the frequency of nuclear ruptures, the speed of their repair, and the implications these events have on DNA damage, protein localization, and overall cell survival.

This research represents a pioneering effort to establish the first quantitative relationship between age and nuclear membrane integrity in non-dividing tissues. By comparing the cellular responses of young and old cells, the project aims to shift the understanding of aging from viewing nuclear damage merely as a consequence to recognizing it as a potential root cause, especially in cells that do not renew themselves.

Significance and Support

The findings from Jahed’s research could significantly alter the scientific community’s understanding of cellular aging. The Hypothesis Fund supports innovative early-stage research initiatives that might otherwise remain underfunded or overlooked through conventional funding routes. By encouraging bold ideas in basic research, the Fund plays a crucial role in advancing scientific knowledge.

As Jahed moves forward with this project, the implications of her findings could extend beyond academic interest, potentially influencing future therapeutic strategies aimed at countering age-related cellular decline.