The PESC is co-directed by Kelly Reveles, PharmD, PhD, BCPS, Randy Strong, PhD, and Lisa Kilpela, PhD. The major objective of this core is to promote the overarching goals of the San Antonio OAIC to: 1) Expand the translational geroscience knowledge base, 2) Create a cadre of early-stage geroscience investigators, 3) Serve as a resource to other OAICs, and 4) Disseminate translational geroscience knowledge. The OAIC pursues these objectives by developing and validating interventions to enhance healthy aging and mitigate the progression of aging-associated processes and diseases. The PESC plays a key role in the San Antonio OAIC’s central theme of translational geroscience by supporting projects that move research on the basic biology of aging from the laboratory bench to the bedside, to extend healthy life expectancy. The PESC provides merit-based support for rigorously designed pilot studies that test efficacy and side effect profiles of promising pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic cell-based (e.g., stem cells, gene therapy) and behavioral interventions. Importantly, PESC supports both pre-clinical studies in marmoset models and early-stage clinical studies.
What types of studies will the PESC fund?
The PESC will support both preclinical studies in marmosets and early human trials, many focused on pharmacologic repurposing of compounds in clinical use for other indications. We will also consider new molecular entities, stem cells, gene therapy, behavioral modalities, and other novel approaches to improving health and functioning of older people, based upon emerging clinical or basic science research. Functional assessments will be included as appropriate and feasible – e.g., frailty, resilience. As a priority, the PESC will explicitly encourage high-risk projects with potential for high rewards.
How do the Pilot / Exploratory Studies interact with other OAIC cores?
PESC-supported studies must involve at least one other OAIC Resource Core. Similarly, the PESC will synergize with the Research Education Component (REC) by placing a high priority on meritorious proposals from OAIC Scholars and other young investigators studying aging-related interventions. PESC interacts extensively with the Leadership and Administrative Core and the Executive Committee for proposal evaluation, selecting projects for funding, oversight of funded projects, and working with pilot PIs to publish their findings, design follow-up studies, and develop grant proposals based on pilot data.
Innovation:
The PESC plays a central role in supporting the early-stage, potentially ground-breaking research in translational geroscience enabled by the San Antonio OAIC. We seek projects that: 1) are first-of-type conducted in marmosets or humans, 2) bring established investigators newly into translational aging research, and 3) help launch careers of the OAIC REC Scholars. Outcomes include peer-reviewed publications, presentations at national meetings, formation of new collaborative teams, academic advancement of team members, and securing independent competitive funding. Innovative features include our Southwest National Primate Research Center (SNPRC) partnership for marmoset studies, explicit encouragement of high-risk projects, a rapid response pilot mechanism, online application and review platform, mentoring and team science approaches, and close linkages with the Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases and the Parkinson’s Disease Center of Excellence.
Pilot Study Announcements and Applications
Annually, the PESC solicits letters of intent (LOIs), which are screened by the PESC Co-Leaders for programmatic and scientific consistency with the overall goals of the OAIC and resource availability (e.g., marmosets or patient populations). Those selected for further consideration are invited to prepare a full application.
The PESC supports up to five full projects, each with an OAIC budget of up to $50K/year (one being a shared marmoset project with the SNPRC). The PESC also considers Rapid Response proposals (up to $10K; decisions within 2 weeks of application) for small projects with clearly defined goals. Awarded funds are based on submitted budgets and reviewer input, with final decisions made by the OAIC Executive Committee. Duration of support will be 1-2 years; funding for Year 2 will require achievement of first-year milestones
Outcomes and Accomplishments
To date, the PESC has funded 32 pilot projects and 5 rapid response projects. served 26 PIs through support for 19 regular pilots, 5 rapid response pilots, and 2 SNPRC collaborative projects. Funded projects address nearly every pillar of aging in humans (59%) and marmosets (41%). Of 26 completed pilot projects, 74% have led to external funding (27 total grants). PESC-supported investigators have published a total of 56 papers, including in top-tier journals such as Nature Aging, Aging Cell, Geroscience, Nature Communications, and Science.obtained 30 grants, and submitted an additional 16 pending grant proposals. A total of 53% of PESC-funded PIs are early-career scientists (5 RL5 Scholars), 38% are physician-scientists, and 19% are other clinician-scientists (e.g., pharmacists, physical therapists, dentists).