Aging Physiology Branch
The Aging Physiology Branch focuses on age-related changes affecting tissue and organ function. Research supported by this branch includes fundamental mechanisms of altered function in tissues and organs that contribute to conditions, dysfunctions, syndromes, and diseases of aging. Research is supported at molecular, cellular, and higher levels of organization including integration across tissues and organ systems. A major theme for the Aging Physiology Branch is inter-organ communication which is a topic connecting all programs in this branch.
Branch Chief:
Amanda Boyce, Ph.D.
Program Officers:
Hongwei Gao, M.D., Ph.D.
Mulualem Tilahun, Ph.D., D.V.M.
John Williams, Ph.D
Circulatory and Pulmonary Program
This program supports research on how the circulatory and pulmonary systems change with age. Topics may include:
- Age-dependent changes in cardiac and vascular structure and function
- Role of stem cells in maintenance and renewal of the circulatory and pulmonary systems
- Effects of aging on erythropoietic proliferation, differentiation and transformation
- Aging of the respiratory system including the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Program Contact: Hongwei Gao, M.D., Ph.D.
Immunology Program
This program fosters research on how aging can impact the functionality of the innate and adaptive immune systems. Topics may include:
- Molecular basis of age-related decline in adaptive and innate immune functions
- Age-related changes in hematopoiesis, thymopoiesis, lymphocyte differentiation and proliferation
- Inflammation and aging
- Autoimmune disease and other age-related immunopathologies
- Interventions to retard and/or correct age-related decline in immune function
- Immune aging in humans
Program Contact: Mulualem Tilahun, Ph.D., D.V.M.
Kidney and Urogenital Program
This program supports research on the impact of aging on the health and function of the renal and urogenital systems. Topics may include:
- Physiological basis of age-related kidney disease and kidney failure including decreased glomeruli function, nephrosclerosis, and susceptibility to injury
- Systems biology approaches to understanding cell nonautonomous regulation of the aging kidney
- Age-related changes in the function of the bladder, urethra, and prostate including the molecular basis and pathogenesis of incontinence, underactive bladder and prostate hyperplasia
Program Contact: John Williams, Ph.D.
Neuromuscular and Connective Tissue Program
This program explores mechanisms of age-associated alterations in muscle, the neuromuscular junction, and connective tissues that contribute to loss of function. Topics may include:
- Age-related changes in the cellular and matrix components of muscle and tendon
- Effects of aging on the neuromuscular junction and functional consequences
- Molecular basis of sarcopenia
Program Contact: Amanda Boyce, Ph.D.
Bone and Cartilage Program
This program aims to understand the mechanisms by which bones and cartilage change with age. Topics may include:
- Age-related changes in the cellular and matrix components of bone and cartilage
- Understanding bone as an emerging endocrine tissue
- Molecular basis of osteoporosis and osteoarthritis
Program Contact: John Williams, Ph.D.
Reproductive and Endocrine Program
This program supports research into hormonal changes with aging, and the impact of aging in the health and function of the endocrine and reproductive systems, liver, pancreas, and gastrointestinal system. Topics may include:
- Age-related changes in hormone production, metabolism, and action
- Aging changes in the reproductive system, including hormonal changes and their consequences in non-reproductive tissues
- Age-related changes in non-reproductive hormones and hormone action
- Aging of the liver in disease and injury, in the exocrine functions of the pancreas and function of the gastrointestinal systems
- Effects of aging on pancreas endocrine function and diabetes
Program Contact: John Williams, Ph.D.
Recruiting
Regenerative Biology Program – This program aims to understand the body’s natural processes to restore damaged cells, tissues, or organs and improve function in the context of aging. Topics may include:
- Molecular mechanisms of tissue regeneration during aging
- Impact of lifespan extending interventions on regenerative capacity and mechanisms
- Role of the aged microenvironment in stem cell functions
- Factors affecting age-dependent changes in stem cell renewal and differentiation
- Features of aging that affect organ transplants and tissue grafts
- Age-related changes in wound healing
Microbiome and Virome Program – This program supports research on commensal microbes and viruses, and their beneficial versus deleterious consequences for aging. Topics may include:
- Age-related changes in the human microbiome/virome
- Interactions between the microbiome/virome and the hallmarks of aging
- Impact of the age-related microbiome/virome changes in relation to multimorbidity and deficit accumulation