Interventions Testing Program (ITP)

In 2009, the Interventions Testing Program embarked on a Phase II study of rapamycin, which includes another lifespan study and a battery of ancillary studies. Rapamycin treatment began at 9 months at two sites and 12 months of age at the third site (see chart below). Note that the same beneficial effects on lifespan were observed when rapamycin treatment was initiated at 9 months or at 20 months of age (Miller et al., 2011; Harrison et al., 2009). As part of the Phase II study, additional treated mice will be available for collaborative studies, to broader the phenotyping that can be accomplished. These mice will be sacrificed at specific times for cross-sectional studies. The ITP welcomes requests to participate in collaborations in this cross-sectional study.

Investigators interested in collaborating with one or more of the ITP principal investigators should contact them directly to determine if the collaboration is possible. Although there is no charge for tissues, collaborators may be asked to pay for the costs of shipping, and might in some cases be asked to share costs of tissue collection if special services are needed.

Contact Information

The Jackson Laboratory (TJL)
PI David Harrison david.harrison@JAX.org
Tissues Available for Collaborations: All EXCEPT brain, liver, kidney, heart, some muscles, femur, vertebrae (some portions might be available)

The University of Michigan (UM)
PI Richard Miller millerr@umich.edu
Tissues Available for Collaborations: All

The University of Texas Health sciences Center – San Antonio (UT)
PI Randy Strong strong@uthscsa.edu
Tissues Available for Collaborations: Most

Animal Ages and Dosing for Available Tissues

References

Miller, R. A., Harrison, D., Astle, C. M., Baur, J. A., deCabo, R., Fernandez, E., Flurkey, K., Javors, M. A., Nelson, J. F., Pletcher, S., Sharp, Z. D., Sinclair, D., Starnes, J. W., Wilkinson, J. E., Nadon, N. L., Strong, R. (2011) Rapamycin, But Not Resveratrol or Simvastatin, Extends Lifespan of Genetically Heterogeneous Mice. J. Gerontology, Biological Sciences 66A:191-201. (PMID 20974732).

Harrison, D. E., Strong, R., Sharp, Z. D., Nelson, J. F., Astle, C. M., Flurkey, K., Nadon, N. L., Wilkinson, J. E., Frenkel, K., Carter, C. S., Pahor, M., Javors, M. A., Fernandez, E. and Miller, R. A. (2009) Rapamycin fed late in life extends lifespan in genetically heterogeneous mice. Nature 460:392-395. (PMID 19587680).