Investigating how gut bacteria change with age and affect health in monkeys.
Official title: A life course perspective on gut microbiome aging and health in a non-human primate model
Funded at University of Notre Dame · NIH-11020949 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how changes in gut bacteria as we age can affect our health, like frailty and diabetes, and it’s designed for older adults who want to understand how their gut health might influence their well-being as they get older.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Notre Dame NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Notre Dame, United States) |
| Project start | April 15, 2021 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $562,056 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG071684-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11020949 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals aged 65 and older who are interested in understanding the role of gut health in aging.
✕Less likely to help
Patients under the age of 65 or those with specific gut microbiome disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the relationship between gut microbiome changes and aging by using a non-human primate model. It aims to identify how the functional capacities of gut bacteria evolve throughout the life course and how these changes relate to health outcomes such as frailty and diabetes. By focusing on the functional aspects of the microbiome rather than just the types of bacteria present, the study seeks to develop reliable markers for healthy aging. The research will involve tracking these changes over time to better understand their implications for health in older adults.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new insights into how gut health influences aging and the development of diseases, potentially improving health outcomes for older adults.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the gut microbiome's role in health, but this approach focusing on functional capacities in a life course perspective is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Archie, Elizabeth — University of Notre Dame
- Study coordinator: Archie, Elizabeth
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.