BIG STUDY
CURRENTLY RECRUITING
The mission of The Buck Institute for Research on Aging is to end the threat of aging and age-related disease. The Institute is situated in Marin County in Northern California, with the surrounding population being on average ~7 years older than all adjoining counties, and the current population consisting of 38% of residents over the age of 60y. Researchers at The Buck Institute often use biospecimens and data that were collected at other clinical sites in their research, in order to develop new molecular analysis techniques, pilot-test new aging biomarkers, or validate basic science findings in small sets of human samples. However, using external biospecimens is often accompanied by problems in sample quality or processing, limited sample amount or the availability of accompanying clinical data to provide context to the biospecimen. These challenges can prevent research from being translated toward human benefit, and/or compromise the quality of the resulting research. To overcome these problems and provide Buck Institute scientists with high quality samples to advance our mission in aging-focused research, we will establish The Buck Institute Geroscience Biobank (BIG-Biobank) which will collect, maintain and share coded biospecimens and data from volunteers in our community.
To participate, fill our the interest form on our clinical trials page
CENTER DETAILS
Participants: adults over the age of 18
Dates: Estimated started October 2024 and ongoing indefinately
Duration: a minimum of one sample donation, up to three donations annually for as long as the biobank is open.
Compensation: $25 per donation
Status: Currently recruiting
Start date: October 2024
Sponsor: The Buck Institute for Research on Aging, through a grant from The Hevolution Foundation
Study type: Biobank
Participants: ~1000 participants
Last updated: December 2, 2024
Number of visits
- One visit to the clinic
- Optional repeat donations up to 3 times each year
List of study procedures:
- Medical history
- Height, weight, waist circumference
- Vital signs (pulse and blood pressure, etc)
- Fasting blood work
- Urine sampling in clinic
- Study questionnaires
- Physical tests (balance, walking, strength, etc)
- Mental tests (memory, cognition, etc).
You can join if you…
- Are over the age of 18
You can’t join if…
- Have a problem with bleeding or blood clotting
Dr. John Newman
John Newman, MD, PhD, is an Assistant Professor at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging and an Associate Professor in the Division of Geriatrics at University of California San Francisco (UCSF). His career goal is to translate our expanding understanding of aging biology to improve the care and help maintain the independence of older adults. His research at the Buck Institute studies the molecular details of how diet and fasting regulate the genes and pathways that in turn control aging, focusing on the ketone body beta-hydroxybutyrate and how its molecular signaling activities involving epigenetics and inflammation regulate aging and memory in mice. Dr. Newman is also a geriatrician at UCSF who cares for hospitalized older adults, focusing on preserving mobility and preventing delirium.
Dr. Brianna Stubbs
Dr. Brianna Stubbs is Associate Director of the Clinical Research Core at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging and is a world expert in exogenous ketone metabolism and its implications for performance, resilience and health-span. She completed her PhD in Metabolic Physiology at the University of Oxford, studying the metabolism and the application of exogenous ketone salts and esters. Whilst completing her studies, she competed on the British International Rowing Team, and was a two-time World Champion lightweight athlete. Brianna is currently Lead Translational Scientist in the Business Development Team at The Buck Institute for Research on Aging where she is focused on the translation of ketone body research into consumer products and drugs that target healthy aging.