Award
National Institute on Aging 1R21AG085874-01
The interplay between active and passive mechanics in the aging bladder
Recipient
University of Colorado
Award Amount
$439,535.00
Ceiling
$439,535.00
Awarded
September 19, 2023
Identifier
1R21AG085874-01
A multiyear NIH grant awarded to University of Colorado to study aging bladder mechanics using advanced imaging and modeling techniques to understand lower urinary tract symptoms.
Description
This project aims to develop an ex vivo method to study the mechanical properties of the aging murine bladder, focusing on the cyclic smooth muscle contraction and extracellular matrix organization. The research will utilize optogenetics, multiphoton microscopy, and finite element modeling to understand how aging affects bladder function and contributes to lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). The study involves comparing methods of inducing smooth muscle contraction, analyzing ECM and SMC organization in aged mice, and modeling tissue mechanics.