Watch CBS News

Florida Scientists Share $9M Grant To Study Aging Process

Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter

JUPITER (CBSMiami/AP) — It makes sense that studies to reverse the aging process are being done in Florida, where the search for the Fountain of Youth took place.

Florida scientists are studying the genetic makeup of centenarians to develop new drugs that could delay or possibly even reverse age-related diseases.

Scientists from the Florida campus of The Scripps Research Institute and Albert Einstein College of Medicine will share a $9 million grant from the National Institute on Aging.

According to a statement from Scripps, a five-year study will focus on individual genetic differences that could contribute to new therapeutic approaches targeting the aging process itself.

Scripps researcher Paul Robbins says researchers will study "natural longevity mutants" — people who live to age 100 or older without suffering from diseases that trouble other people starting in middle age.

The number of U.S. residents over 65 is expected to double over the next 20 years, adding urgency to the search for new healthy aging strategies.

(© Copyright 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.