Fellow Project
2025–2026
Unraveling the Role of the Gut Microbiome in Aging
This project explores whether dynamics in the early-life gut microbiome shape how individuals age. Microbial communities in the gut play a central role in regulating key physiological systems. Disruptions in early life to this ecosystem—such as those caused by environmental stress—may have long-term effects on health. One potential outcome is “age acceleration,” a condition in which biological ageing progresses faster than chronological age.
As a fellow at the Collegium Helveticum, Eveliina Hanski is developing an epigenetic clock to measure biological age in natural populations of house mice. Using this tool, she will analyze large datasets—including microbiome and individual characteristic data—to explore whether early-life microbial environments can predict differences in ageing patterns later in life. The project aims to deepen understanding of how microbiome dynamics shape development and health across the lifespan, offering insights relevant to both ecological science and human health.
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