Meng Wang wants to reveal the fundamental mechanisms of organism aging, lipid metabolism, and reproductive senescence. These intertwined biological processes exert profound influence on human health and factor into various chronic and degenerative diseases. Wang’s team investigates the molecular mechanisms governing these key biological processes and their complex interrelationship, by combining the power of functional genomics in the worm C. elegans with metabolomics, chemical engineering, and optical biophysics. Through their work, the team is: advancing understanding of metabolite signaling in organelles, microbiome-host interaction, and olfactory regulation; developing innovative imaging platforms for in vivo metabolite fingerprinting; and seeking to identify effective metabolites for improving an organism’s health span.
New research led by HHMI Janelia Research Campus Senior Group Leader Meng Wang provides insights into how changes that help organisms deal with environmental stress are conferred to their offspring. Scientists have discovered that lysosomes in roundworms produce molecules that allow cells to ‘talk’ to one another about aging, coordinating the process across the entire organism.