Senescence Model Development

As we age we are more susceptible to a range of age-related diseases. Dysregulation of normal cellular processes can drive unhealthy ageing leading to age-related disease. By amending underpinning dysfunction, it is likely possible to derive treatments that may resolve a multitude of senescence-mediated diseases with one therapeutic. Such therapeutics are under development in Exeter and farther afield by world-class researchers working in the field of senotherapeutics. To evaluate the success of these therapeutics, it is important to employ appropriate models can effectively distinguish between a desirable and undesirable target cell.

Dr Samantha Gould from Team RNA has recently been awarded a grant from the Northcott Foundation which aims to develop senescence models from multiple donors (Figure 1) of normal human dermal fibroblast cells. These models will be used to intentionally induce different subtypes of cellular senescence, and identify common subset-specific markers through a range of phenotypic assays and sequencing techniques. By Summer 2026 Sam hopes to have identified unique signatures of senescent subtypes to help to inform on the safety and efficacy of up-and-coming senotherapeutics.