Healthy Aging Fund

Healthy Aging Fund Overview

Fund Established: January 30, 2025

Initial Contribution: $1.5 million from The Colossal Foundation

Funder: The Colossal Foundation

Host Institution: Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University

Geographic Scope: Boston area institutions and beyond

Focus Areas:

Biological mechanisms of aging

Aging-related disease and decline

Healthspan extension

Aging reversal

Artificial womb technologies

Genome engineering for aging

Synthetic biology applications to aging

Tissue engineering for aged populations

Environmental health and biodiversity (indirect aging benefits)

De-extinction technologies

Conservation science

Species preservation and revival

Fund Purpose:
A transformative initiative aimed at unlocking the mysteries of aging through groundbreaking research into biological mechanisms of aging and development of breakthrough therapies to delay or reverse aging-related conditions.

Vision:
A future where human healthspans match lifespans, empowering people to live vibrant and fulfilling lives for as long as possible by addressing factors contributing to age-related disease and decline.

Eligible Researchers:

Scientists and engineers across the Wyss Institute

Researchers throughout ecosystem of 11 Boston area institutions

Participating Institutions:

Wyss Institute (lead)

Harvard Schools of Medicine, Engineering, Arts & Sciences, and Design

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Brigham and Women's Hospital

Boston Children's Hospital

Dana–Farber Cancer Institute

Massachusetts General Hospital

University of Massachusetts Medical School

Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital

Boston University

Tufts University

Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin

University of Zürich

MIT

First Program Focus:
Artificial womb technologies leveraging cutting-edge genome, synthetic biology, and tissue engineering capabilities. These technologies aim to:

Provide safe and controllable environments for embryo development outside the natural womb

Facilitate de-extinction and species preservation

Ensure a more resilient and biodiverse future

Revolutionize reproductive biology for all species

Leadership:

Program Director: George Church, Ph.D. (Wyss Core Faculty, Robert Winthrop Professor of Genetics at Harvard Medical School, Professor of Bioengineering at Harvard SEAS)

Wyss Founding Director: Donald E. Ingber, M.D., Ph.D.

About The Colossal Foundation:
A 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to supporting the use of cutting-edge technologies for conservation efforts globally to help prevent extinction of keystone species. Deploys de-extinction technologies and support to empower field partners to reverse the extinction crisis.

Application Contact:
For inquiries about support and involvement: Get in touch through Wyss Institute contact page