Integrative Physiology of Aging

This program investigates how metabolic, immune, and neural mechanisms, both in the periphery and central nervous system (CNS), interact to shape aging and resilience at the cellular, tissue, and organism level. Researchers examine cell-autonomous mechanisms alongside regulation by local tissue niches and systemic factors, including circulating signals revealed through innovative approaches, such as heterochronic parabiosis, interorgan crosstalk via immune pathways, and CNS control of peripheral organs. The goal is to understand how immune-metabolic networks influence the hallmarks of aging, healthspan, and responses to stress.

Laboratories focus on developing novel compounds and identifying repurposed drugs to promote resilience and extend healthspan. Investigators employ innovative in silico, bioinformatic, and in vivo strategies to discover small molecules and identify existing therapeutics and compounds that target the biological hallmarks of aging and the diseases they drive. This geroscience approach is also employed to identify potential combination strategies with superior efficacy to single agents. A particular focus and strength of the program is on healthspan and investigators’ robust preclinical capacity to evaluate these compounds for translational potential across behavioral, functional, and metabolic health domains.