Scientists researching the process of human aging at the
UCSD School of Medicine division of geriatrics will receive a grant of nearly
$2 million from the Larry L. Hillblom Foundation to continue their work.

“We are proud to support research of such great promise for
patients of advanced age,” President of the Hillblom Foundation Peter J.
Donnici said in a statement. “This study at UC San Diego is an excellent fit
with the philanthropic mission of our foundation. We are pleased to provide the
funding for this groundbreaking, innovative research which has the potential to
positively affect individuals nationally and globally.”

The research is part of a four-year project aimed at
understanding the biology behind the human aging process.

Goals of the project include potentially developing
mechanisms by which to reduce the negative impacts of aging on the human body,
including such chronic afflictions as Alzheimer’s disease, cardiovascular
disease and diabetes.

“This research should provide important insight into some of
the most fundamental questions related to the process of aging,” head of UCSD’s
division of geriatrics Laura Dugan said. “The primary objective of the research
is to identify the underlying problems of aging and to develop interventions to
overcome them. We are extremely grateful to the Larry L. Hillblom Foundation
for their continued generous and comprehensive support of aging research at UC
San Diego.”