Blood is produced from blood stem cells in the bone marrow. When this haematopoietic system ages, people over 65 often suffer from anaemia, impaired immune responses or even leukaemia. In the "MANAGE HSC" study, junior professor Ani Grigoryan from the Institute of Molecular Medicine wants to investigate how the bone marrow changes with age and how this affects the ageing of human blood stem cells. The junior research group leader has been awarded a Starting Grant from the European Research Council worth one and a half million euros.
When flu vaccinations are no longer as effective in older people, this is also due to the ageing of the human blood – or rather the entire haematopoietic system, i.e. the production and maintenance of blood involving blood stem cells and bone marrow. Other blood diseases such as anaemia or leukaemia are also more common in people over 65. In view of this population group's rapid growth, this is an alarming problem from a clinical point of view. In bone marrow transplants, blood stem cells from older donors also lead to lower transplant success and higher overall mortality. In the coming years, Junior Professor Ani Grigoryan will be studying how the bone marrow changes with age, to what extent it influences the aging of blood stem cells, and the underlying mechanisms. The molecular biologist has been awarded an ERC Starting Grant worth 1.5 million euros for five years for her research project "The impact of human aged bone marrow niche on human hematopoietic stem cell function – MANAGE HSC".
"If we understand why blood stem cells age and what factors cause stem cell ageing in humans, it will be an important step towards restoring or at least improving their function," says Grigoryan, who heads a junior research group at the Institute of Molecular Medicine. "This could prevent age-related impairments of the hematopoietic system and improve the treatment of diseases." So far, our understanding of how changes in the bone marrow contribute to stem cell ageing is limited. In her research, Ani Grigoryan will focus in particular on the microenvironment of the bone marrow, as this influences the function of blood stem cells. To this end, the scientist has developed a human bone marrow model specifically geared towards ageing, which she will use to examine the effects of ageing on the cellular and molecular composition of this microenvironment and its interaction with stem cells. The aim is to find ways to improve impaired haematopoiesis in older people. Junior Professor Ani Grigoryan is convinced: "It is of great importance to uncover the factors that contribute to the ageing of human blood stem cells and to then specifically combat them."
About the ERC Starting Grants
The European Research Council (ERC) is awarding a total of 494 Starting Grants to young scientists across Europe in 2024; 98 of them are going to Germany. The funding, totalling almost 780 million euros, will support cutting-edge research in a wide range of fields, from life sciences and physics to social sciences and humanities. The Starting Grants help researchers at the beginning of their careers to launch their own projects, form working groups, and pursue their most promising ideas. Around 14 percent of the nearly 3,500 applications received were successful. The funding is part of Horizon Europe, the EU's main funding programme for research and innovation.
Further information
Jun.-Prof. Ani Grigoryan, Institute of Molecular Medicine, email: ani-1.grigoryan(at)uni-ulm.de
Text and media contact: Christine Liebhardt