Project Grant R21AG103130

The National Institute on Aging awarded the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston $444,125 on August 15, 2026, under the Aging Research program (CFDA 93.866) to investigate whether youthful gut microbiomes slow or reverse physiological aging in mice through fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT).

The project, designated R21AG103130, will test two hypotheses across two research aims over a performance period ending July 31, 2028. Aim 1 will determine whether autologous FMT using banked youthful microbiota delays physiological and molecular aging in mature adult mice by integrating organ function assessments, organ-specific transcriptomics, and microbiome profiling. Aim 2 will define the rejuvenating potency of youthful microbiota versus the pro-aging effects of old microbiota in aged mice through allogeneic FMT. Preliminary studies in the principal investigator's laboratory demonstrated that autologous FMT using youthful microbiota in aged mice preserved cardiac and hepatic function, reduced fibrosis, enhanced mitochondrial activity, lengthened telomeres, decreased DNA damage, and prevented spontaneous cancers. The research builds on existing clinical evidence that FMT restores microbial diversity and function in recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection and shows promise in hepatic encephalopathy and inflammatory bowel disease. Work is performed in Galveston, Texas.