The respiratory microbiome – a predictor of healthy ageing?​

The microbiome, defined as the total population of microbes and their genomes in a given system, is an influence in health and disease. Culture-independent methods such as 16S rRNA sequencing and metagenomics have challenged early concepts about the sterility of organ systems such as the lung and expanded our knowledge of the microbiome’s role in physiological health. While there exists an emerging role for the gut microbiome in the ageing process, the role of the respiratory microbiome remains to be fully examined, particularly in the Asian context. Varying ethno-geography, climate, diets and genetics influence the microbiome and play key roles in observed differences with the West.

In this proposal we seek to characterise the lung microbiome in young (<40 years old) and older (>60 years old) volunteers recruited in Singapore through our established cohorts. Each volunteer will contribute sputum samples for microbiome analysis and blood for assessment of inflammatory and immune markers linked to ageing. This data will be associated to measurements of their health status and frailty scores altered during the ageing process to determine microbial components that correlate with changes in health and promote ‘healthy ageing’. This work will lay the foundation for understanding the Asian lung microbiome and how this links to health as a function of age.

Through this proposal, we aim to generate adequate data for two conference abstract presentations, one peer-reviewed publication and generate a strong preliminary dataset to apply competitively for extramural national funding. Ultimately, characterisation of the Asian microbiome and its age-related changes may uncover novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to benefit health and ultimately promote ‘healthy ageing’ in our population.