Samuel Klein, M.D., Ph.D.
Director, Longevity Research Program
Project Summary:
The Longevity Research Program (LRP) will stimulate the collaboration of Washington University in St. Louis investigators with expertise in different disciplines to work cooperatively to investigate why cardiometabolic and immune system abnormalities occur in many but not all people with excessive adipose tissue accumulation (e.g. obesity and aging), and the effect of specific dietary interventions on cardiometabolic and immune system function.
Results from these studies are anticipated to increase our understanding of the nutritional/metabolic factors that promote cardiometabolic health and improved immune system function, and thereby provide insight into factors that might promote healthy aging. In addition, a careful interrogation of the blood, tissue and stool samples obtained from these studies might identify novel biomarkers associated with healthy and unhealthy metabolic and immune system profiles.
This ambitious research agenda requires considerable resources, including support from the Longer Life Foundation, use of Nutrition Obesity Research Center (NORC) laboratories, administrative support from the Division of Geriatrics and Nutritional Science, and philanthropic support from the Pershing Square Foundation and the Atkins Foundation, which will support a major five-year research study to provide a repository of samples for LRP initiatives from carefully characterized human subjects. Each year, the LRP will submit an interdisciplinary research proposal to The Longer Life Foundation that will be developed by Washington University faculty with input from the LRP and NORC leadership.
