The individual research groups within Subarea 1 investigate the causes and consequences of stem cell aging. The research work spans from basic model organisms over genetic mouse models up to humanized mouse models engrafted with human stem cells.

According to the FLI, with the closure of two groups since 2016 the representation of invertebrate models of stem cell research was reduced in Subarea 1. The institute presumes that the recruitment of new groups should fill this gap.

The research is defined by four focus areas:

• Cell-intrinsic mechanisms limiting the function of aging stem and progenitor cells,
• Aging-associated alterations of stem cell niches and the systemic environment,
• Mechanisms of clonal selection and epigenetic drifts in stem cell aging, and
• Microbiota- and metabolism-induced impairments in stem cell function during aging (in context of the new focus area Microbiota and Aging currently being built up within Subarea 2).