Columbia University Irving Medical Center
We tackle this fundamental question by studying the impact of gut microbiota on the development and plasticity of the enteric nervous system.
The enteric nervous system is embedded within the wall of the gut, where a diverse network of neurons and glial cells controls essential functions including digestion, motility, absorption, and secretion. It operates with remarkable autonomy while remaining connected to and influenced by the brain.
At this unique barrier surface, enteric neurons develop and function amid signals from microbes, diet, the intestinal epithelium, and resident immune cells. This dynamic environment raises fundamental questions about neuronal cell biology: How do neurons establish and maintain their identity and function? What happens when their environment is perturbed—how do they adapt, remodel, or regenerate?
By combining gnotobiotic mouse models with human stem-cell-derived enteric nervous system and intestinal organoid models, we aim to uncover general principles governing how intrinsic developmental programs interact with environmental signals to build, maintain, and reshape neural systems.