University of Copenhagen receives Longevity Science Foundation grant to develop selective senolytics for neurodegeneration.
The Longevity Science Foundation (LSF) has awarded a grant to the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen to support a three-year project aimed at reversing brain aging by targeting senescent astrocytes. Starting later this year and led by Associate Professor Dr Morten Scheibye-Knudsen, the research will focus on developing compounds that selectively eliminate these damaged brain cells, which accumulate with age and are implicated in cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases.
The project is set to employ a combination of AI-driven screening and high-throughput compound testing to identify molecules capable of targeting senescent cells while preserving healthy neurons; the ambition is not only therapeutic precision, but real-world applicability.
Longevity.Technology: Targeting senescent astrocytes represents a compelling and increasingly credible route to rejuvenating brain tissue – particularly when the approach is selective, sparing healthy neurons while eliminating the dysfunctional cells that accumulate with age. This research stands out not only for its mechanistic focus, but for the convergence of technologies it brings to bear: AI-powered compound discovery combined with high-throughput screening offers the dual advantage of speed and precision, accelerating the path toward viable therapeutic candidates. That such work is being undertaken at the University of Copenhagen – a research environment with strong translational intent – further reinforces its potential for clinical relevance.
The Longevity Science Foundation’s decision to fund this project signals more than just support for innovation; it reflects a growing recognition that longevity science must now orient itself toward scalable, patient-facing interventions. This means not just identifying promising compounds, but embedding that work within a framework designed to deliver outcomes in real-world settings. If the selective targeting of brain-resident senescent cells proves successful, it could offer a new paradigm for tackling cognitive decline and age-related neurodegeneration – one that is both mechanistically grounded and operationally scalable.
The Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine at the University of Copenhagen is dedicated to uncovering the molecular and genetic foundations of health and disease. Anchored in a deep understanding of the normal and differentiating cell, the department investigates cellular mechanisms in a medical context to illuminate the causes of disease and aging. By translating fundamental discoveries into clinical insight, the department drives innovation in diagnostics and therapies within a dynamic, internationally competitive research environment that embraces cutting-edge methodologies. Dr Scheibye-Knudsen’s lab investigates how DNA damage impacts cellular and organismal function, with a particular focus on how such damage drives aging processes. By integrating molecular biology, metabolomics and computational approaches, the lab aims to identify key metabolic changes triggered by DNA damage and to develop therapeutic interventions – such as small molecules or lifestyle strategies – that can restore cellular homeostasis and promote healthy aging.
Speaking to Longevity.Technology, Dr Scheibye-Knudsen described the project as both timely and necessary. “With the global population aging at an unprecedented rate, we urgently need innovative strategies to tackle neurodegeneration,” he told us.
“Our program represents a bold shift in this space – by targeting cellular senescence, a root cause of aging, we aim to rejuvenate the brain itself. This approach has the potential not only to transform our understanding of neurological aging but also to yield viable, commercial treatments for age-related neurodegenerative diseases. After years of stalled progress targeting Tau and β-amyloid, we believe the time is ripe for radical, data-driven solutions – and our computational capabilities and wet lab scientists make us uniquely equipped to deliver them.”
The LSF’s support for this project aligns with its mission to fund translational science that bridges laboratory discoveries with real-world medical applications. By investing in research that combines advanced computational tools with clinical relevance, the Foundation aims to move the promise of longevity science out of academic silos and into broader healthcare systems.
“We are thrilled to support Dr Morten Scheibye-Knudsen and his team at the University of Copenhagen,” said Joshua C Herring, President and CEO of the Longevity Science Foundation.
“This project reflects our belief that targeted, innovative research can lead to meaningful interventions in aging and neurodegeneration. We are committed to enabling discoveries that extend life and enhance its quality.”
As the field continues to mature, projects of this nature illustrate how strategic funding and cross-disciplinary insight can generate not just mechanistic breakthroughs, but scalable opportunities for age-related disease intervention.
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