Aging Physiology Branch and Programs

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.

Programs

The Aging Physiology Branch has a broad array of programs that support research on age-related changes affecting tissue and organ function. Explore details about each program below:

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 and Inflammation Program

This program fosters research on how aging can impact the functionality of the innate and adaptive immune systems. Topics may include:

  • Immune aging: Age-related changes in epigenetic, molecular, and metabolic pathways responsible for age-associated decline in adaptive and innate immune function (immunosenescence).
  • Age-related changes in hematopoiesis, thymopoiesis, lymphocyte differentiation and proliferation
  • Age-associated decline to infection and vaccine response
  • Inflammaging and development of age-related chronic diseases
  • Autoimmune disease and other age-related immunopathologies
  • Interventions to slow down and/or reverse age-related decline in immune function

Program Contact: Mulualem Tilahun , Ph.D., D.V.M.

Skeletal, Endocrine, and Renal Biology Program

This program aims to support understanding of the biological mechanisms by which the skeletal, endocrine, and renal systems change with age and how these changes impact health and function. 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
  • 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
  • Age-related changes in non-reproductive hormones and hormone action

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.

Digestive and Microbiome Program

This program supports research on the impact of aging on the health and function of the digestive system and organs, including the gastrointestinal tract, liver, pancreas, and gallbladder, as well as age-related changes in the microbiome (dysbiosis). Topics may include:

  • Physiological basis of age-related digestive organ disease and failure, including susceptibility to injury
  • Aging of the liver in disease and injury
  • Effects of aging on pancreatic function and diabetes, including diabetic risk and disease outcomes
  • Age-related changes in the microbiome (microbial and their metabolism) and its interaction with other hallmarks of aging
  • Impact of the age-related changes in microbiome and their metabolism on multimorbidity and deficit accumulation
  • Underlying molecular mechanisms of age-related disruption of the integrity of the physiological barrier (gap junctions) and changes in their function with age

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

Contact Information

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
Roberto Flores-Munguia , Ph.D.

Looking for program officials? Use the Matchmaker tool in the NIH RePORTER to easily find staff associated with specific projects or types of research. Enter abstracts, research bios, or other scientific text, and explore a list of similar projects and program officials from the RePORTER.

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