Exploring how collaborative international experiential learning in gerontology is transforming aging education and research worldwide
In an era where global population aging is transforming societies worldwide, a revolutionary educational approach is breaking down traditional classroom walls. Imagine students from Canada studying elder care in Scandinavian design principles, American researchers collaborating with Japanese centenarians, and healthcare professionals across continents sharing best practices in real-time. This is the face of modern gerontology education—a dynamic, internationally-connected field preparing the next generation to reimagine what it means to grow older.
The "Aging Globally: Lessons from Scandinavia" initiative, pioneered by Western University in Canada, represents one of the most ambitious efforts in this space. Since 2018, this collaborative course has brought together 425 students and 24 professors from diverse fields including Health Studies, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Nursing, and Technology, Science and Design programs across Canadian and Scandinavian institutions 1 . By combining academic theory with hands-on international experience, this program exemplifies how collaborative international experiential learning in gerontology is creating "global-ready graduates" equipped to tackle the complex challenges of aging populations 1 .
Collaborative international experiential learning represents an educational evolution that transcends traditional boundaries. It broadens the application of academic theory outside the classroom in an international context, includes authentic reflection, develops transferable skills, and strengthens employability for future healthcare professionals 1 .
The theoretical foundations of this educational model draw from several perspectives on globalization in education. The world culture theory suggests the existence of common global educational goals from a multicultural perspective, while culturalist perspectives view globalization of education as a process of borrowing and lending educational ideas across borders. Meanwhile, the human capital world theory emphasizes preparing workers for performance in a world economy—particularly relevant in gerontology given the global need for trained professionals to serve aging populations 6 .
The "Aging Globally: Lessons from Scandinavia" program, delivered in partnership with OsloMet University (Norway), Karolinska Institutet (Sweden) and seven non-academic partners such as Socialstyrelsen and Silviahemmet (Sweden) and Cycling without Age (Denmark), demonstrates the powerful outcomes possible through this approach 1 .
Students gain firsthand understanding of how different societies approach aging challenges
Graduates develop adaptability and problem-solving capabilities applicable across healthcare settings
The course catalyzed three curriculum development grants totaling CAD $2 million, 57 international internships, 13 exchanges, and 12 summer courses 1
Similar models have emerged worldwide. New York University's WHO Collaborating Center for Gerontologic Nursing Education works to build capacity for education and research on healthy aging throughout the Latin American and Caribbean region 3 . The University of Maryland Baltimore's "Alicia and Yaya Initiative" leverages collaborations with the University of Costa Rica to provide support for students and scholars to study and learn together through fellowships, collaborative learning opportunities, and symposia 4 .
While educational initiatives are creating globally-competent professionals, scientific researchers are making equally exciting discoveries about the fundamental mechanisms of aging. In a landmark study published in Metabolism – Clinical and Experimental, a Korean research team led by Professor Ok Hee Jeon at Korea University's College of Medicine discovered how cellular aging can spread systemically through the bloodstream—offering new insights and a potential therapeutic strategy to combat aging-related decline 5 .
The researchers identified that High Mobility Group Box 1 (HMGB1), specifically its reduced redox form (ReHMGB1), acts as a key extracellular senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) factor that plays a critical role in transmitting senescence from aging cells to distant tissues 5 . This discovery fundamentally advances our understanding of how aging communicates itself throughout the body.
Professor Jeon's team employed a sophisticated multi-step approach to unravel the mechanism of systemic aging transmission 5 :
The researchers first demonstrated that extracellular ReHMGB1—but not its oxidized form (OxHMGB1)—robustly induces senescence-like features in multiple human cell types including fibroblasts, renal epithelial cells, and skeletal muscle cells
Mice systemically treated with ReHMGB1 exhibited elevated senescence markers (p21, p16), increased SASP factor expression, and impaired muscle function
In a muscle injury model in middle-aged mice, the team administered anti-HMGB1 antibodies to test whether blocking this pathway could reverse age-related dysfunction
The researchers measured not just molecular markers but actual physical performance to determine if the interventions translated to improved function
The findings from this comprehensive investigation revealed several groundbreaking insights with profound implications for aging research and potential clinical applications. The most significant result came from the therapeutic intervention phase: in middle-aged mice with muscle injuries, administration of anti-HMGB1 antibodies not only reduced senescence markers but also enhanced muscle regeneration and improved physical performance 5 .
| Cell Type | Senescence Markers | SASP Factor Expression | Functional Changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human fibroblasts | Significant increase in p21 and p16 | Elevated inflammatory factors | Reduced proliferative capacity |
| Renal epithelial cells | Marked elevation of senescence markers | Increased SASP secretion | Impaired cellular function |
| Skeletal muscle cells | Robust induction of senescence | Enhanced inflammatory signaling | Diminished contractile function |
| Parameter Measured | ReHMGB1-Treated Mice | Control Group | Statistical Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senescence markers (p21, p16) | Significantly elevated | Baseline levels | p < 0.01 |
| SASP factor expression | Increased across multiple tissues | Normal expression patterns | p < 0.05 |
| Muscle function | Impaired performance | Normal function | p < 0.01 |
| Tissue regeneration capacity | Reduced repair ability | Normal regeneration | p < 0.05 |
"This study reveals that aging signals are not confined to individual cells but can be systemically transmitted via the blood, with ReHMGB1 acting as a key driver," explained Professor Jeon. "By blocking this pathway, we were able to restore tissue regenerative capacity, suggesting a promising strategy to treat aging-related diseases" 5 .
The groundbreaking work of Professor Jeon's team relied on a sophisticated array of research reagents and tools that form the essential toolkit for modern aging research. These materials enable scientists to unravel the complex biological processes of aging and develop interventions to extend healthspan.
| Reagent/Tool | Function in Aging Research | Application in HMGB1 Study |
|---|---|---|
| Anti-HMGB1 antibodies | Neutralize extracellular HMGB1 activity | Blocked systemic senescence transmission in mouse models |
| Senescence-associated beta-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) assay | Histochemical detection of senescent cells | Identified senescent cells in various tissues |
| SASP factor analysis kits | Measure secreted inflammatory mediators | Quantified senescence-associated secretory phenotype |
| Redox state modifiers | Manipulate oxidation states of proteins | Differentiated effects of ReHMGB1 vs OxHMGB1 |
| Muscle function assessment systems | Measure physical performance changes | Documented functional improvements post-treatment |
The synergistic relationship between international gerontology education and cutting-edge aging research creates a powerful feedback loop that accelerates progress for older adults worldwide. As students in the Aging Globally initiative gain cultural competencies and transferable skills, they become better equipped to contribute to—and apply—groundbreaking discoveries like the HMGB1 aging transmission mechanism.
Educational programs that span borders foster the cross-pollination of ideas that leads to innovative approaches to age-related challenges. When students from different healthcare systems and cultural backgrounds collaborate, they bring diverse perspectives that can reshape how we approach fundamental scientific questions about aging.
The future of gerontology lies in this integrated approach—where classroom learning in Canada informs clinical practice in Scandinavia, where laboratory discoveries in Korea inspire educational modules in Costa Rica, and where every advancement brings us closer to the shared goal of improving quality of life for older adults everywhere. As Nicole Brandt, Executive Director of the University of Maryland's Peter Lamy Center on Drug Therapy and Aging, captures this spirit: "Our vision is to improve the lives of older adults by optimizing medication safety and use. We are staying true to that vision and mission, thinking about how our work can be amplified by helping others" .
Through the continued expansion of collaborative international educational experiences and the accelerating pace of scientific discovery, we move closer to a world where increased longevity is matched by enhanced healthspan—where extra years are celebrated not merely for their number, but for their quality and meaning.