Investigation into senescent processes of human disease

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Investigation into the determination of targets responsible for age-associated disease using human cells

  • IRAS ID

    263972

  • Contact name

    Susanna A Barratt

  • Contact email

    susy.barratt@benevolent.ai

  • Sponsor organisation

    Benevolent AI

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    5 years, 0 months, 1 days

  • Research summary

    The purpose of this study is to identify targets that play a role in age-associated diseases, specifically the senescence response and determine the impact of selective small molecules on senescence in human cells. This is relevant to develop new drugs for a range of diseases that have a senescent component such as fibrosis of the liver, skin, lung, kidney and endothelium.
    To investigate this, we will be performing in vitro studies using human primary cells from young and old donors following chemical or siRNA mediated modulation of certain proteins (identified in our computer based screen). In the event there is insufficient senescent cells, a trigger for senescence will be applied (either replicative senescence or DNA damage induced).
    This study will be performed within our in vitro laboratories and we will source the cells from an HTA approved supplier either in the form of freshly isolated cells or cryopreserved cells. Samples will be un-identifiable and any donors will be eligible for use.

  • REC name

    East of England - Cambridge Central Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    19/EE/0172

  • Date of REC Opinion

    3 Jul 2019

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion