Aging Physiology Branch and Programs

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.

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.

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 and urethra, including the molecular basis and pathogenesis of incontinence

Program Contact: John Williams, Ph.D.

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.

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.

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 non-reproductive hormones and hormone action
• Aging of the liver in disease and injury and in endocrine functions
• Effects of aging on pancreas endocrine function and diabetes

Program Contact: John Williams, Ph.D.

This program supports research on commensal microbes and viruses, and their beneficial versus deleterious consequences for aging, as well as aging related changes in digestive function. 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
• The effects of aging on the digestive functions of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, pancreas, and gallbladder

Program Contact: Roberto Flores-Munguia, Ph.D.

This program is focused on supporting research on the molecular and physiological changes of the skin during the aging process, aging related skin conditions, and the identification of targets to improve the treatment of skin complications due to aging. Topics may include:

• Age-related changes in wound healing
• Age-related changes in the cellular and matrix components of skin that effect structure and function

Program Contact: Pragati Katiyar, Ph.D.