Cellular senescence is a rapidly expanding area of research, with PubMed-indexed publications reaching an all-time high of 2,813 in 2024. This rising interest reflects the recognition of senescence as a key biological process in aging, cancer, and a wide range of diseases.

A significant challenge in the field is the reliable identification of senescent cells, particularly in vivo. Even in vitro, senescence is highly heterogeneous in both its inducers and molecular markers. In tissues, these markers are not always co-expressed within the same cells or at the same time, making detection and interpretation incredibly complex. Unlike more canonical processes like apoptosis or autophagy, senescence lacks a single, well-defined molecular signature, hindering cross-study comparisons and reproducibility.

Beyond identifying senescent cells, mechanistic studies on the consequences of their accumulation—such as the characterization of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), paracrine effects, and immune-mediated clearance—are gaining importance. Additionally, interest is growing in therapeutic strategies to mitigate senescence, including senolytics, senomorphics, and compounds that prevent or reverse the senescent state.

This JoVE Methods Collection will showcase standardized, video-based protocols for assessing senescence markers and their functional implications across diverse biological models, with practical troubleshooting guidance for common challenges.

By facilitating the dissemination of robust methods, this collection will empower more researchers—regardless of their primary field—to incorporate senescence analysis into their work and help build a shared methodological foundation for advancing senescence research and its translational applications.