Investigating how gut stress signals can promote healthy aging and protein balance
Official title: Gut stress-induced intercellular signaling networks promoting longevity and proteostasis
Funded at University of North Carolina Charlotte · NIH-11077335 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how our gut can send helpful signals to the rest of our body as we get older, especially to keep us healthy and prevent issues like dementia and metabolic problems, and it aims to find new ways to support healthy aging.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of North Carolina Charlotte NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlotte, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $363,080 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG082970-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11077335 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults experiencing age-related health issues, particularly those related to protein misfolding diseases.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not experiencing age-related conditions or those with acute health issues unrelated to aging may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores how signals from the gut can influence the health of the entire body, particularly as we age. It focuses on understanding the role of gut cells in producing signals that help maintain protein balance and prevent age-related diseases like dementia and metabolic disorders. Using a model organism called C. elegans, the researchers will study how mild stress in the gut can trigger protective responses in other tissues, potentially leading to new therapies for healthy aging. The goal is to identify these signaling networks to develop interventions that promote longevity and tissue health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that enhance healthy aging and reduce the risk of age-related diseases.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of leveraging gut signaling for healthy aging is relatively novel, there is growing evidence that gut health plays a crucial role in overall health and longevity.
Where this research is happening
-
University of North Carolina Charlotte
Charlotte, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Van Oosten-Hawle, Patricija — University of North Carolina Charlotte
- Study coordinator: Van Oosten-Hawle, Patricija
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.