Cardiovascular disease is the leading global cause of death, and age is its strongest risk factor. Chronological age defines how long we have existed, whereas biological age states how old our cells truly are. Sometimes these two numbers can differ drastically. Advanced cellular aging increases the risk of aging-related diseases at an earlier chronological age. Cellular aging clocks learn patterns in gene expression that track age and can detect age acceleration in disease or rejuvenation after interventions. No such clocks exist for the human heart. This project focuses on filling that gap, creating the first aging clocks for the human heart. The project will deliver a tool that can stratify patients, monitor rejuvenation interventions, and prioritize drug targets; an important step toward cardiovascular aging therapeutics and continued cardiovascular health throughout human lifespan. The project will be carried out at A.I. Virtanen Institute, University of Eastern Finland.

2026

2030