Regulation of host aging and physiology by the human gut microbiota
The human gut microbiota encodes diverse metabolic pathways, where gut microbes make numerous compounds that are relevant to human health and hold untapped therapeutic potential. While fecal microbiota transplantation has been shown to delay age-associated decline in mouse and fish models, how specific gut bacteria and their metabolites impact host physiology represent a new frontier that remains to be fully explored.Leveraging our expertise in the gut microbiome and aging biology, the Han Lab will tackle this underexplored area from both the microbial and host’s perspectives. Specifically, Dr. Han seeks to 1) mechanistically characterize gut bacteria and bioactive small molecules in host aging and physiology, and 2) identify gut microbial-dependent, host cellular mechanisms underlying organismal health-span and lifespan. Dr. Han’s proposed research will pave the way for identifying molecular candidates for microbiota-targeted therapeutics to promote heathy aging.
