University of Arizona · Microbiology & ImmunologyThe ImmunoAge Lab
Janko Z. Nikolich · Tucson, Arizona
Research Focus
Dr. Janko Z. Nikolich's lab focuses on understanding how aging affects the immune system, particularly the decline of T cells in older adults. By investigating the mechanisms behind this decline, the lab aims to develop strategies for rejuvenating T cells to improve health and immunity in the elderly. They also explore how cytomegalovirus (CMV) influences aging in people living with HIV, with the goal of establishing better treatments for age-related conditions in this population.
T cell agingimmune rejuvenationcytomegalovirusHIV-associated agingimmunosenescenceaging biomarkersthymic functionchronic inflammationautoimmunityhealthspan
Research Aims
5AIM 01Investigate the mechanisms of T cell aging and loss of function in older adults.
AIM 02Develop strategies to rejuvenate T cells and enhance immunity.
AIM 03Examine the role of cytomegalovirus in HIV-related accelerated aging.
AIM 04Identify biomarkers of aging in individuals with HIV.
AIM 05Assess the impact of viral load and infection on immune function decline in older adults.
Skills the Lab Values
cell cultureflow cytometryanimal modelsimmunological assaysbiomarker identificationdata analysismolecular biology techniquesphenotypinggeriatric assessment toolsstatistical analysis
Output against the department
Publications14bottom 3% of dept.472nd of 486
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations1.4kbottom 8% of dept.448th of 486
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.