What inspired you to pursue aging research?
Aging is one of the risk factors for many diseases such as dementia, stoke, heart disease and cancer. Over the past two decades, several transgenic animal models have been generated and demonstrated that targeting the hallmarks of aging can alleviate diseases and rejuvenate organisms. Some small molecules, such as metformin, resveratrol, and senolytics cocktail dasatinib and quercetin, were further found to improve healthspan and prolong lifespan. These achievements not only promote our understanding of the biology of aging and longevity, but also inspire me to pursue more fundamental research about the pathophysiology of aging.
In your view, what does AFAR mean to the field, and what does it mean, for you, to receive an AFAR grant now?
AFAR is one of the most important sources supporting aging research, while simultaneously serving as a collaborative leader within the field of aging. Works supported by AFAR have tremendously advanced our comprehension of aging and age-related diseases and establishing strategies to help people liver healthier and longer. As a postdoctoral researcher, being granted an AFAR fellowship fills me with great honor and deep gratitude. This fellowship not only offers a valuable opportunity to address some unresolved questions in aging research, but also helps to pave the way for my academic career
What is exciting about your research’s potential impact?
This project aims at a commonly identified yet unresolved question in aging-the relationship between cellular senescence and microbiome alterations. Findings from this project will uncover the role of p21high cells in age-related changes of microbiome composition and function. It will deepen our fundamental understanding of the pathophysiology of aging and pave the way to develop robust interventions targeting senescence, the microbiome, or both to improve health and increase longevity.
How would you describe your research to a non-scientist?
The gut microbiome, composed by trillions of microorganisms that lives symbiotically with host, plays a role in host health, aging, and longevity. The microbiota composition shifts from health to diseases, and changes with aging. Our previous studies have demonstrated that senescent cells, which are metabolically active but stop dividing, accumulate in multiple tissues in aged mice, and clearance of these senescent cells improve tissue function and extend lifespan. This project aims to determine the regulatory effect of senescent cells clearance on gut microbiota composition and discover some beneficial bacterial species for health and longevity.
