The role gut health plays in contributing to frailty in our old age is the subject of a new study which has been awarded a share of £7.6 million.
Researchers at the University of Aberdeen will try to pinpoint what change occurs in gut microbiota as we get older which may lead to us suffering more illnesses.
Frailty can increase the risk of vulnerability to infections and inflammatory diseases including cancers, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
Older people with frailty are significantly more likely to die or experience disability, yet the factors which contribute to some people becoming frail while others do not are poorly understood.
The microbiota - bacteria, viruses, fungi etc. - that live in our intestine play a critical role in regulating our immune systems and as we age, the composition of this microbiota changes.
The Aberdeen researchers will attempt to zero-in on the specific changes which occur in later life.
The research project is one of 62 across 41 UK universities receiving a share of £7.6 million through the Academy for Medical Science’s Springboard programme, in its largest ever funding initiative. The funding for early-career researchers aims to tackle urgent health challenges.
Lecturer in Immunology at the University of Aberdeen Dr Candice Quin, who will lead the project, received £125,000 to further her research on frailty in older adults.
“There is an urgent need to reduce the economic, societal and individual costs of frailty in our ageing population, yet we currently do not have any effective therapeutic strategies,” said Dr Quin. We have shown that age-related changes in the intestinal microbiome contribute to the development of frailty, providing an exciting new avenue for therapeutic intervention.
“The proposed experiments in this Springboard application will identify novel microbial targets that contribute to frailty with age, which we can selectively deplete in future intervention studies and clinical trials. Vaccination with the microbiota has already been shown to improve metabolism and reduce diet-induced obesity.
“This research will pave the way for similar cutting-edge interventions against frailty and ultimately provide older people with more years of healthy, independent living.”
Dr Quin will conduct the research in collaboration with Dr Marius Wenzel from the School of Biological Sciences and Dr Huan Cao from the School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition.
Professor James Naismith FRS FRSE FMedSci, Vice-President (Non-Clinical) at the Academy of Medical Sciences, said: “This record investment demonstrates our unwavering commitment to supporting the next generation of research leaders. By backing these talented early-career researchers, we’re not only addressing today’s urgent health challenges but also strengthening the UK’s position as a global leader in medical research.
The breadth and ambition of projects funded by the Academy’s Springboard programme is remarkable–from understanding teenage drinking behaviours to investigating why women are disproportionately affected by Alzheimer’s disease. Each Springboard awardee brings fresh perspectives and innovative approaches that will ultimately translate to improved health outcomes for patients and the public.
“The Academy is proud to provide the financial resources and career development support needed to help these outstanding scientists establish their independent research careers.”
UK Science Minister Lord Vallance said: “Research supported by the Springboard programme can help to address some of the most pressing health challenges, like antimicrobial resistance and cancer, by giving early-career researchers across the UK the opportunity to test their ideas. “Through this programme we are supporting the next generation of researchers to lead their own groundbreaking research so that the UK can continue to be a pioneer in medical science.”