Replacing microbiota makes aging intestines young again

#1

When it comes to gut health, we may be only as “old” as the bacteria living in our intestines.

In research published Jan. 22, 2026, in Stem Cell Reports, a research team from Cincinnati Children’s and Ulm University in Germany demonstrates that transferring young microbiota to the intestines of older mice helps boost the stem cells that make new tissue. This in turn can speed healing when intestines are damaged by causes ranging from surgery and radiation treatments to disease, infections and the natural wear and tear of aging.

“As we age, the constant replacement of intestinal tissue slows down, making us more susceptible to gut-related conditions. Our findings show that younger microbiota can prompt older intestine to heal faster and function more like younger intestine,” says corresponding author Hartmut Geiger, PhD, director of the Institute of Molecular Medicine at Ulm University and former member of the Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology at Cincinnati Children’s.

While a variety of prebiotic and probiotic products have surged in popularity, this study involved controlled experiments involving a mix of bacteria not available in consumer products. The researchers emphasize that these microbiota require delivery via fecal transfer.

The power of young bacteria

In a series of experiments involving mouse models, the team demonstrated that aging results in changes to the mix of commensal (or helpful) microbiota in the gut. This specifically reduced key signaling involving the gene Ascl2 and WNT signaling among the intestinal stem cells (ISCs) within the intestine lining.

“This reduced signaling causes a decline in the regenerative potential of aged ISCs,” says co-author Yi Zheng, PhD, director, Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology at Cincinnati Children’s. “However, when older microbiota were replaced with younger microbiota, the stem cells resumed producing new intestine tissue as if the cells were younger. This further demonstrates how human health can be affected by the other life forms living inside us.”

Zheng and Geiger have collaborated on previous projects focused on rejuvenating blood stem cells. They also are co-founders of a related start-up company called Mogling Bio. This study involving intestinal stem cells extends some of their previous work, Zheng says.

The research team stressed that more study is needed to confirm the benefits also occur in humans, including determining safe dosing levels and further investigation of the ideal combination of microbiota species to include in fecal transfers.

Source Paper:

Microbiota from young mice restore the function of aged ISCs

https://www.cell.com/stem-cell-reports/fulltext/S2213-6711(25)00392-3

Company:

https://www.moglingbio.com

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#2

Reseting to a “younger” microbiome.
Sounds like a good idea.

What stands in the way of safely biohacking fecal transplants?

For years I’ve seen references to: fecal transplants:

  • Lean sources (thin sources) lead to thinner and leaner recipients.
  • Reducing inflammation,
  • Moderating or resolving psoriasis and/or psoriatic arthritis.
  • Healing leaky gut.

They appear to have more than promise in:

  • Gastrointestinal Disorders: (e.g., Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), ulcerative colitis).

  • Metabolic and Liver Diseases: Obesity, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and liver disorders like cirrhosis.

  • Liver Diseases e.g., cirrhosis.

  • Neuropsychiatric Conditions: depression, anxiety, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and multiple sclerosis (MS).

I appreciate the risk of sourcing and infection.

I’d seriously consider traveling almost anywhere in the world to undertake this in a reputable clinical setting.

Does anyone know one?

The forum has explored a wide range of things from sourcing non-approved peptides and repurposing the use of prescription medications.

We’ve seen devices to enable one to DIY formulate drugs.

So again, what stands in the way of safely biohacking fecal transplants?

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#3

First let’s not forget that this is a mouse study that we are looking at.

Apparently there is an oral supplement that does not require colon fecal tranplants:

Gemini:

Note on Modern FMT: Today, FMT doesn’t always require a colonoscopy; there are now FDA-approved oral capsules (such as Vowst, approved in 2023) that contain highly concentrated, screened fecal microbiota. This bridges the gap between traditional pills and full transplants.

FDA Approves First Orally Administered Fecal Microbiota Product for the Prevention of Recurrence of Clostridioides difficile Infection. Ref

"The dosing regimen of Vowst is four capsules taken once a day, orally, for three consecutive days. Vowst contains live bacteria and is manufactured from human fecal matter that has been donated by qualified individuals. Although the donors and donated stool are tested for a panel of transmissible pathogens, Vowst may carry a risk of transmitting infectious agents. It is also possible for Vowst to contain food allergens; the potential for Vowst to cause adverse reactions due to food allergens is unknown."

Ref

This would also apply to fecal transplants.

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#4

i rather take a pill than get a transplant of someone else’s.

#5

The pill = a transplant.

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