Gut microbiome changes associated with p21high cell clearance in aging
Cellular senescence and the alteration of gut microbial composition are two pivotal physiological processes that underlie aging and age-related diseases. Dr. Wang’s research aims to investigate the interaction of cellular senescence and gut microbiome in the aging context. She will leverage a p21-Cre transgenic mouse model to manipulate p21high cells and examine how the clearance of p21high cells impacts the gut microbial composition and longevity-related function in aged mice. She also expects to identify potential microbiome and related metabolites that are highly relevant to health and longevity. Findings will provide a fundamental understanding of the pathophysiology of aging from a paradigm of cellular senescence-mediated microbiome alteration. It will also lay the foundation targeting microbiome to improve health and increase longevity.