University of Minnesota Researchers Pioneer the Future of Healthy Aging

The University of Minnesota is pioneering groundbreaking aging research aimed at helping people not only live longer but also live healthier lives. Scientists are translating discoveries made in the lab into real-world solutions to help revolutionize how we age.

In celebration of Healthy Aging Month this September, the University is spotlighting innovative approaches to the health of older adults while celebrating the joy of aging. Here are four ways University of Minnesota researchers are breaking new ground for healthy aging.

Clearing "zombie cells" to fight aging

Senescence is the biological process of aging. During cellular senescence, damaged or stressed cells permanently stop dividing yet remain active, earning them the nickname "zombie cells" as they evade normal cell death. Senescent cells activate the immune system to eliminate these damaged cells — however, with age, the percent of damaged, senescent cells accumulates and causes low-level inflammation, driving aging and leading to diseases associated with old age.

Researchers at the University of Minnesota Masonic Institute on the Biology of Aging and Metabolism (MIBAM) helped discover a new class of drugs called senolytics, which selectively kill these damaged, inflammatory senescent cells and are being tested in dozens of clinical trials as treatments for conditions including Alzheimer's disease, chronic kidney disease, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, COVID-19 and frailty. Most recently, MIBAM has been involved in a large, NIH-funded consortium effort called SenNet to identify, characterize and map senescent cells. This led to the identification of different types of senescent cells — called senotypes — that accumulate in organs with age, improving research consistency and accelerating development of targeted therapies. In addition, researchers have identified a number of new senolytics. These include a lipid that targets cells primed for ferroptosis, a recently discovered form of cell death; a class of xanthones, which are organic compounds found in plants, fruits and lichens; and a natural, complex sugar found in brown seaweed that additionally helps to repair damaged DNA.

"As the average age of the world's population increases, the work we're doing to target and treat key hallmarks of aging is highly crucial," said Paul Robbins, associate director of MIBAM. "Soon, the number of people in Minnesota over the age of 65 will outnumber the people under 18. Developing effective, safe and affordable approaches to keep an increasingly older population healthier will have a significant socioeconomic impact not just on Minnesota, but on the rest of the world."

How daily steps can predict lifespan

Getting enough physical activity directly affects how you age and how healthy you are as you do so. Fortunately, physical activity is a modifiable habit, and researchers are discovering how exercise predicts lifespan and identifying clear targets to help older adults stay healthy longer.

Erjia Cui, an assistant professor in the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, published research that found that physical activity levels were a better predictor of mortality than obesity, diabetes, smoking or even heart disease. In this nationwide study, the research team found that total steps taken each day were the strongest single measurement associated with lifespan.

"The message here is clear: moving more will benefit your long-term health," Dr. Cui said. "Encourage yourself to increase daily activity, and if you have a wearable device like a FitBit or Apple Watch, look at the numbers — they actually matter."

Breaking the inflammation loop to "reset" aging immune systems

As we get older, our immune systems become less effective, making older adults much more vulnerable to severe, life-threatening infections. Christina Camell, an associate professor with the University of Minnesota Medical School and College of Biological Sciences, has new research that explains why this happens and points toward a potential solution.

A key type of immune cell, called a macrophage, becomes trapped in a constant state of inflammation as the body ages. Aging macrophages produce a protein called GDF3, which can cause a loop of inflammation as they send signals back to the cell. When the researchers blocked the GDF3 pathway in lab models, the inflammatory response quieted down, significantly boosting survival rates during severe infections. By targeting and turning off the GDF3 pathway, researchers hope they may be able to eventually "reset" aging immune cells. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments that prevent organ damage and save lives when older adults face severe illnesses.

"Macrophages are critical to the development of inflammation; in our study, we identified a pathway which is used to maintain their inflammatory status," said Dr. Camell. "Our findings suggest that this pathway could be blocked to prevent the amplified inflammation that can be damaging to organ function and may be a promising target for future treatments that reduce harmful inflammation."

Faster care, better aging

Project REACH (Rural Experts Advancing Community Health), hosted by the University of Minnesota Office of Academic Clinical Affairs, is a year-long program that equips rural Minnesota community leaders with health policy and leadership training to improve local health and well-being. Community leaders learn how to frame health policy challenges and effectively communicate with state legislators and policymakers, offering a practical blueprint for anyone aiming to drive local health policy change.

Alicia Pearson is a clinical research leader, rural advocate and Mayor of Lanesboro, Minnesota — and is part of the Project REACH 2026 cohort. Through Project REACH, she is focusing on issues related to aging in Lanesboro and strategies to support the health and well-being of older adults in rural communities. She plans to examine why it can take so long for new health technologies to become accessible and affordable, even after there is significant evidence that they can help people. She will explore how public policy can help close these gaps, particularly when the benefits might be difficult to measure — such as helping older adults stay independent, manage their health at home or have a better quality of life.

"There are so many new tools that could make it easier for older adults to stay healthy and independent, especially in rural communities where getting care can already be difficult," said Pearson. "Innovation only matters if people can actually access it. Someone shouldn't have to wait decades for something that could meaningfully improve their life just because our systems haven't caught up with the technology."