Proteomics research in aging: a bibliometric and visualized analysis of evolution and emerging trends (1998–2024 and early 2025)

This study aims to analyze the global research landscape and identify emerging trends in research hotspots, key technologies, and clinical applications in proteomics research in aging from 1998 to June 20, 2025. Publications related to aging and proteomics from 1998 to June 20, 2025 were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection. A bibliometric analysis was conducted using VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and R 4.3.3 to evaluate publication trends, research collaborations, and emerging topics. A total of 3,638 studies were included in the analysis. The USA, China, and Germany led in publication volume with 983, 829, and 227 articles respectively. Harvard University was the most prolific institution with 306 publications, followed by University of California System and Chinese Academy of Sciences. Key research was published in high-impact journals such as Journal of Proteome Research, Aging Cell, and Proteomics. Luigi Ferrucci, and D. Allan Butterfield were the most influential authors. Cluster analysis identified five research hotspots: protein expression and cellular senescence mechanisms, age-related diseases and neurodegeneration, cellular processes and molecular mechanisms, stress response and longevity mechanisms, and advanced proteomics technologies and biomarker discovery. Burst keyword analysis revealed recent research hotspots including health, dementia, extracellular vesicles and receptor. This study demonstrates that aging proteomics research has matured into distinct yet interconnected domains spanning basic molecular mechanisms, clinical disease applications, and technological innovations, reflecting the field's evolution toward translational and precision medicine approaches for age-related conditions. Future research directions may focus on clinical translation of aging biomarkers and development of precision medicine approaches for age-related diseases.