Biography

Dr. Xiang graduated with a bachelor's degree from Wuhan University in 2005. He received his Ph.D. from the Graduate University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Kunming Institute of Zoology) in 2012. After completing his doctorate, he started as an Assistant Professor at the Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and was promoted to Associate Professor in 2015. In 2017, Dr. Xiang joined the Institute of Human Aging at Nanchang University, where he currently leads the research group focusing on metabolic control and aging.

Research Areas

Metabolic Control of Aging and Sarcopenia

Research Summary

Our research focuses on the metabolic regulation of aging and the development of intervention strategies, with particular emphasis on the relationships among systemic metabolic alterations, healthy longevity, skeletal muscle aging, and age-related sarcopenia. Using extreme human phenotypes, such as centenarians, and animal models with exceptional adaptations, including resistance to starvation, as entry points, we integrate genome-wide association studies, multi-omics approaches, and experimental models such as Caenorhabditis elegans and mice to identify and validate key metabolic pathways and therapeutic targets that regulate the aging process. We also combine natural-product research with bioactive small-molecule screening to evaluate candidate anti-aging interventions and elucidate their mechanisms of action, with the ultimate goal of developing new strategies to delay aging, alleviate sarcopenia, and promote healthy aging.

Research Grants and Funded Projects

1. Optimization of a Large-Scale Exercise and Health Model for Populations with Diverse Physical Profiles and Collaborative Development of an Active Health Resource Database. National Key R&D Program of China, Grant No. 2025YFC3610003; Task Leader; RMB 2.74 million; Jun 2026–May 2028.

2. Cross-Species and Multi-Omics Discovery of Novel Molecules for the Clinical Intervention of Sarcopenia. Interdisciplinary Innovation Program of Nanchang University; RMB 500,000; Jan 2025–Dec 2027.

3. Mechanisms by Which HSP70 β-Hydroxybutyrylation Ameliorates Sarcopenia. General Program of the National Natural Science Foundation of China, Grant No. 82471591; direct costs: RMB 490,000; Jan 2025–Dec 2028.

4. Mechanisms by Which the Temporal Sequence of Tissue and Organ Aging Influences Suboptimal Health and Disease. National Key R&D Program of China, Grant No. 2023YFC3603301; Core Member of Task 1 and Subproject Leader; Task Leader: Prof. Xiaoli Tian; RMB 1.05 million; Dec 2023–Nov 2026.

5. Mechanisms by Which Malnutrition-Resistance Factors Delay Sarcopenia. Key Project of Jiangxi Province, Grant No. 20242BAB26156; RMB 200,000; Sep 2024–Aug 2026.

6. Mechanisms Through Which Exercise and Nutrition Improve Metabolic Homeostasis, Delay Aging, and Promote Health. National Key R&D Program of China, Grant No. 2020YFC2002903; Subproject Leader; managed budget: RMB 1.08 million; Jun 2020–Jun 2023.

7. Jiangxi Provincial Outstanding Young Talent Program. Grant No. 20192BCB23003; RMB 300,000; Jan 2019–Dec 2022.

8. Mechanisms Underlying the Synergistic Regulation of Endothelial Cell Senescence by Arrestin and Thrombin Receptors. General Program of the National Natural Science Foundation of China, Grant No. 81873814; direct costs: RMB 610,000; Jan 2019–Dec 2022.

9. Mechanisms by Which Gut Microbiota-Derived Pore-Forming Toxins Regulate Lipid Metabolism Through Mitochondrial Function. Jiangxi Provincial Outstanding Young Scientists Fund, Young Investigator Key Project, Grant No. 2018ACB21036; RMB 200,000; Jan 2018–Dec 2021.

10. Roles of Gut Microbiota-Derived Pore-Forming Toxins and Trefoil Factor Complexes in Vascular Endothelial Senescence. Major Research Plan—Exploratory Program of the National Natural Science Foundation of China, Grant No. 91649120; direct costs: RMB 600,000; Jan 2017–Dec 2019.

11. Isolation and Mechanistic Investigation of Active Compounds from Yunnan Wild Chrysanthemum for the Prevention and Treatment of Skin Photodamage. Open Research Fund of the State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Grant No. GREKF18-10; RMB 70,000; Jun 2018–May 2021.

12. Roles of Amphibian Pore-Forming Toxin-Like Proteins in Anti-Infective Immunity. General Project of the Chinese Academy of Sciences “Light of West China” Talent Program; RMB 300,000; Jan 2015–Dec 2017.

13. Role of the Zebrafish Aerolysin-Like Protein Zebralysin in Anti-Infective Immunity. General Program of the Yunnan Provincial Natural Science Foundation, Grant No. 2014FB175; RMB 100,000; Jan 2015–Dec 2017.

14. Roles of Non-Lens Crystallin–Trefoil Factor Complexes in Anti-Infective Immunity in the Large-Webbed Bell Toad (Bombina maxima). Young Scientists Fund of the National Natural Science Foundation of China, Grant No. 31301884; RMB 240,000; Jan 2014–Dec 2016.