The UConn Health, Center on Aging in partnership with The Jackson Laboratory (JAX), is committed to protecting the health and safety of our community with a shared mission of uncovering answers to the most pressing challenges of aging and health. If you are age 20-35 years or ≥65 years we would like to invite you to participate in this study.
What are we studying? This research is being done to better understand the aging immune system (which is your body’s defense against infections) and how it protects us as we age. This is a research study about genomics (study of genes in cells) and how aging affects the rare blood stem cells that give rise to the circulating immune cellsthey contribute to changes in immune cells due to aging. Scientists may conduct genomic testing of cells in blood in this research. This means that they will be looking at which genes are turned on and which are turned off in immune cells. This type of research may help scientists better understand the changes to immune system due to aging better and may help contribute to the development of potential diagnostics and therapies for diseases of the immune system in the future.
Who is eligible to participate?
You must meet all of the following criteria to be eligible to participate:
- age 20-35 years or ≥65 years (by day of consent)
- You must not have any immunosuppressive disorders or be on any immunosuppressive medications.
What participation involves?
- Participants enrolled in the study will be scheduled for a single study visit at UConn Center on Aging to answer questions about medical history and current medications along with having a blood sample collected. Participants 65 years or older will also answer questions about activities of daily living and complete simple physical performance tests.
- All study procedures performed will be at no charge and you will receive monetary compensation for your participation.
How long will it take? If you are eligible and decide to participate, we will ask you to come to the Center on Aging for 1 research visit that will last approximately 30-60 minutes.
If you are interested in participating or would like more information, please call (860) 679-8865 or email Megan Wing at wing@uchc.edu. Someone from the study team will call you back for a 15- minute screening interview.
IRB# 24-127J-1
For more information, contact: Megan Wing at wing@uchc.edu