The University of Missouri System, doing business as Curators of the University of Missouri, was awarded a $745,121 Project Grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (CFDA 93.837 Cardiovascular Diseases Research) to investigate the impact of cellular senescence on obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)-induced cardiovascular dysfunction. The project aims to use transgenic mouse models to study how chronic exposures to intermittent hypoxia and sleep fragmentation, two key features of OSA, induce accelerated vascular senescence and associated vascular dysfunction. By selectively eliminating senescent cells in the vasculature, the researchers seek to reverse or attenuate the cardiovascular deficits caused by OSA. The study will assess physiological and cardiovascular changes, DNA methylation profiles, and molecular pathways responsible for OSA-induced vascular senescence. This innovative research framework aims to provide insights into the mechanisms of OSA-related cardiovascular disease and identify potential therapeutic targets.