Louise Pitcher is studying the molecular and epigenetic mechanisms that drive aging, cellular senescence, and tissue rejuvenation. Her research focuses on how transcriptional and chromatin landscapes become altered with age and how we may revert these alterations through the use of epigenetic modulating compounds.
Her work focuses on targeting bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) proteins as a therapeutic strategy for suppressing senescence, inflammation, and fibrosis, and for promoting functional rejuvenation in aged tissues. Her work integrates in vitro and in vivo aging models with bulk and single-cell transcriptomics, and chromatin accessibility analyses with the goal of developing epigenetic and senotherapeutic interventions to improve healthspan.
Representative Publications:
Pitcher, L. E., Mukherjee, B., Saathoff, A. M., Eduvas, Z. A., Bartz, J., Zhang, X., Giorgadze, N., Pirtskhalava, T., Habib, A. A., LeBrasseur, N. K., Tchkonia, T., Kirkland, J. L., Dong, X., Burma, S., & Robbins, P. D. (2025). Space radiation induces distinct senescent phenotypes: Implications for space travel. npj Aging, 11(1), 95.
Nunes, A. D., Pitcher, L. E., Exner, H. A., Grassi, D. J., Burns, B., Sanchez, M. B. H., Tetta, C., Camussi, G., & Robbins, P. D. (2025). Attenuation of Cellular Senescence and Improvement of Osteogenic Differentiation Capacity of Human Liver Stem Cells Using Specific Senomorphic and Senolytic Agents. Stem Cell Reviews and Reports, 1-17.
Thompson, E. L., Pitcher, L. E., Niedernhofer, L. J., & Robbins, P. D. (2022). Targeting cellular senescence with senotherapeutics: development of new approaches for skin care. Plastic and reconstructive surgery, 150, 12S-19S.
Zhang, L., Pitcher, L. E., Yousefzadeh, M. J., Niedernhofer, L. J., Robbins, P. D., & Zhu, Y. (2022). Cellular senescence: a key therapeutic target in aging and diseases. The Journal of Clinical Investigation, 132(15).
