Jan van Deursen

Jan van Deursen made the landmark discovery that genetic clearance of p16INK4a-positive senescent cells in a progeroid mouse model delays aging-associated disorders, establishing the therapeutic rationale for senolytic drugs. His INK-ATTAC transgenic system demonstrated that selective elimination of senescent cells extends healthspan and reduces cancer incidence. He showed that senescent cell accumulation drives age-related tissue dysfunction and creates a protumorigenic microenvironment through chronic SASP signaling. His discoveries catalyzed the entire senolytic drug development field now entering oncology clinical trials.