Part of $27 million fund to foster collaboration, grant set to advance understanding of aging and neurodegenerative diseases.
The Salk Institute has secured a $3.6 million grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM). The funding will support a new Shared Resources Laboratory led by Salk Professor Rusty Gage, focusing on stem cell-based models of aging and neurodegeneration. This initiative is part of CIRM’s broader effort, which involves a total allocation of $27 million to establish six new Shared Resources Laboratories across California, aimed at enhancing collaborative efforts among researchers.
The use of stem cell-based models to simulate human tissues and organs has emerged as a critical tool for studying a range of diseases and physiological processes; however, the field still faces challenges, including a lack of standardized techniques and accessibility issues for researchers. The newly-funded lab at Salk aims to address these challenges by sharing its advanced tools and expertise with other laboratories statewide. This collaboration could expedite the discovery of novel therapies, biomarkers and drug candidates, particularly for age-related conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.
“Over the past five years, we have banked cells from a unique aging cohort, and with CIRM’s generous support, we will be able to distribute these quality-controlled resources to California’s stem cell and aging research communities,” said Gage. “Our goal is to enable research into a range of age-associated pathologies, including neurodegenerative diseases [1].”
Gage’s work has played a key role in advancing stem cell technology; in 2015, his laboratory developed a method to convert skin cells from older individuals into brain cells while preserving the molecular markers of aging [2]. This breakthrough allowed for the study of brain aging in a way that had not been possible before, as previous methods erased these age-related markers.
Additionally, Gage’s lab has made important strides in the development of brain organoids – three-dimensional cell cultures that replicate key aspects of human brain tissue. Unlike conventional organoids, which typically contain only neurons, Gage’s models also include non-neuronal cells such as microglia and astrocytes; this inclusion enables a more comprehensive study of brain aging, inflammation and neurodegeneration. The new laboratory at Salk is expected to provide broader access to these sophisticated resources, offering training in cutting-edge stem cell techniques and promoting the standardization of cell resources and protocols. This is crucial for ensuring reproducibility in research and strengthening the design and conduct of future clinical trials.
Rosa Canet-Aviles, Vice President of Scientific Programs and Education at CIRM, emphasized the importance of these initiatives: “By investing in Shared Resources Laboratories, we are not only providing essential infrastructure for stem cell research but also positioning California at the forefront of this transformative research,” she said. Canet-Aviles highlighted that CIRM’s focus is now shifting towards cutting-edge disease modeling using human stem cells, underlining the potential for significant advancements in understanding and treating complex diseases.
Stem cell research holds promise for developing therapies that could significantly extend healthy lifespan. The capacity to model diseases using patient-specific cells opens new avenues for personalized medicine, allowing for more targeted and effective treatments. The new laboratory at Salk, with its focus on collaboration and resource sharing, is well-positioned to contribute significantly to this growing field, and as longevity research leans into the vast potential of stem cells, the infrastructure and resources provided by CIRM’s funding could play a pivotal role in fostering innovation.
[1] https://www.salk.edu/news-release/salk-awarded-3-6-million-by-the-california-institute-for-regenerative-medicine-to-advance-research-on-brain-aging/
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5929130/
