The Aging Convergence Research Center (ACRC) is dedicated to uncovering the biological mechanisms of aging and developing innovative strategies to delay or even reverse age-related decline.
While aging is a major risk factor for chronic diseases, its molecular pathways at the systems level remain poorly understood. To address this, ACRC integrates epigenetics, single-cell multi-omics, and translational models to identify key regulators of aging and to develop novel diagnostics and therapeutic interventions.
In recent years, ACRC has expanded its efforts to include DNA methylation?based aging clocks, the discovery of rejuvenating plasma factors, and in vivo mapping of senescent cells using single-cell and spatial transcriptomic profiling. In parallel, the center is advancing targeted senolytics, rejuvenation strategies for hematopoietic stem cells, and digital healthcare technologies with the ultimate goal of extending healthspan in human.
Research Areas
Development of Epigenetic DNAm Aging Clock
Construction of human and mouse DNA methylation clocks using high-resolution epigenome data
Multi-omics modeling of biological age to improve diagnostic accuracy for aging and frailty
Discovery of Blood-Derived Rejuvenating Factors
Identification of plasma proteins, miRNAs, and metabolites with systemic anti-aging effects
Development of anti-aging biologics to reverse aging and aging associated diseases
In vivo Senescent Cell Mapping and Mechanisms of Senescence
High-resolution mapping of senescent cells via spatial transcriptomics and proteogenomics
Dissection of gene regulatory networks driving senescence using single-cell multiome analysis
Development of Targeted Senolytics and Immune-based Therapies
Design of antigen-targeted senolytics for precision clearance of senescent cells
Co-culture-based screening platforms for restoring immune recognition of senescent cells
Hematopoietic Stem Cell (HSC) Aging and Rejuvenation
Mechanistic dissection of HSC fate decisions during aging
Drug screening and validation for rejuvenation of aged HSCs via single-cell platforms
(Patents) 20 cases, including diagnostics and therapeutics for sarcopenia, and digital platforms to help people to improve healthspan
(Technology Transfer) 1 case of therapeutic biologics for sarcopenia (USD 16.3 million), 2 cases of digital therapeutics for integrated management of aging risk factors
Selected Publications (2023~ )
Emergence of CpG-cluster blanket methylation in aged tissues: a novel signature of epigenomic aging. 2025, Nucleic Acids Research
Exercise-induced CLCF1 attenuates age-related muscle and bone decline in mice. 2025, Nature Communications
ExermiR-129-3p Enhances Muscle Function by Improving Mitochondrial Activity Through PARP1 Inhibition, 2025, J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle
Pelota-mediated ribosome-associated quality control counteracts aging and age-associated pathologies across species, 2025, PNAS
Quasi-spatial single-cell transcriptome based on physical tissue properties defines early aging associated niche in liver, 2025, Nature Aging
Age-dependent loss of Crls1 causes myopathy and skeletal muscle regeneration failure, 2024, Experimental Molecular Medicine
Distinct characteristics of two types of alternative lengthening of telomeres in mouse embryonic stem cells, 2023, Nucleic Acids Research
A new AMPK isoform mediates glucose-restriction induced longevity non-cell autonomously by promoting membrane fluidity, 2023, Nature Communications
