The Longer Life Foundation (LLF), a cooperative effort between the School of Medicine and the Reinsurance Group of America (RGA), recently celebrated 10 years of independent research into improving methods for predicting long-term mortality from various diseases and promoting quality and quantity of life.
So far, LLF has funded more than 48 research grants, awarding some $2 million to support studies on topics from cancer treatment and screening to diabetes and nutrition.
“This innovative partnership between Washington University and the RGA is a model of a productive collaboration between academics and industry to advance an important field in science and medicine,” said Samuel Klein, M.D., the Danforth Professor of Medicine and Nutritional Science, director of the Center for Human Nutrition and chief of the Division of Geriatrics and Nutritional Science. “The LLF grant program is used to stimulate and facilitate research in identifying prognosticators of disease and longevity, and factors that can prevent disease improve both quality and length of life. RGA support has helped our investigators raise another $50 million in funding from federal agencies and private foundations to advance this research platform.”
Klein said the School of Medicine has invested more than half a million dollars in LLF research projects, and the school’s Department of Medicine has made a substantial commitment to the recently established Longevity Research Program, led by John O. Holloszy, M.D., professor of medicine.
The call for grant applications for 2009 will occur in February with a March deadline. For more information, visit longerlife.org.