Focus areas
Research in the Enteric Neuroscience Program at Mayo Clinic encompasses multiple areas of focus, including molecular, cellular and biological functions of the healthy enteric nervous system, as well as research that focuses on specific gastrointestinal diseases and conditions. Researchers study the causes, mechanisms and optimal treatments for a wide variety of digestive diseases.
Cellular and molecular physiology of gastrointestinal disorders
The Cellular and Molecular Physiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Lab, led by Gianrico Farrugia, M.D., studies the regulation of gastrointestinal motility in cells and disease models. The lab focuses on:
- Developing new mechanistic and therapeutic approaches to diabetic gastroparesis research.
- Explaining the role of interstitial cells of Cajal in slow transit constipation.
- Understanding how mechanosensitive ion channels typically drive functions in the gastrointestinal tract.
Biology of the gastrointestinal neuromuscular system
The laboratory of Tamas Ordog, M.D. focuses on the molecular, cellular and translational biology of the gastrointestinal neuromuscular system, with particular focus on interstitial cells of Cajal. Understanding the genomics and epigenomics of interstitial cells of Cajal leads to mechanistic insight to therapeutic development for enteric neuromuscular disease and gastrointestinal stromal tumors.
Dysfunction in the gut-brain axis
Kristen M. Smith-Edwards, Ph.D., and her research team study the neural mechanisms underlying gastrointestinal dysfunction, such as pain and dysmotility. The team is investigating how enteric, autonomic and sensory neurons, as well as non-neuronal target cells in the bowel, work together to mediate motility, inflammation and abdominal pain.
Gastrointestinal barrier function
The Gastrointestinal Barrier Function Lab, led by Madhusudan Grover, M.B.B.S., focuses on:
- Understanding how changes in the epithelial barrier function and gut microbiota play a role in the development of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) after infection with Campylobacter jejuni.
- Developing novel in vivo and ex vivo biomarkers to measure mucosal barrier function.
- Conducting clinical trials for functional dyspepsia and IBS, with an emphasis on conducting pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetic studies for novel treatment targets.
Gastrointestinal mechanotransduction
The Gastrointestinal Mechanotransduction Lab, led by Arthur Beyder, M.D., Ph.D., studies the molecular mechanisms of gastrointestinal function in health and disease to provide novel diagnostic and therapeutic tools for people with functional gastrointestinal diseases such as IBS and functional dyspepsia. The lab focuses on understanding how smooth muscle and enteroendocrine cells sense and respond to mechanical stimuli on the molecular level.
Gastric pacemaker stem cell aging
Yujiro Hayashi, Ph.D., studies the molecular and epigenetic mechanisms that drive interstitial cells of Cajal stem cell decline. This deterioration is presumed to be a mechanism of interstitial cells of Cajal loss and age-related gastric dysfunctions. Data obtained from these studies in his GI Stem Cell Research Lab can provide rationale for discovering new therapeutic targets.
Gut microbiome
The Gut Microbiome Lab led by Purna C. Kashyap, M.B.B.S., studies the mechanisms by which gut microbes influence health and disease. The lab focuses on how microbial colonization impacts host physiology and how different gut microbiomes respond to dietary interventions and in turn affect gastrointestinal physiology.
Specific projects seek to:
- Develop biomarkers to identify people who are at increased risk of Clostridium difficile infection and create preventive microbiome-targeted interventions.
- Better understand the interplay of diet and genetics in the gut microbiomes of people with IBS.
Enteric neurobiology
The Enteric Neurobiology Lab led by David R. Linden, Ph.D., studies the mechanisms by which nerve cells influence gut function in health and disease. The lab focuses on mechanistic understanding of how changes in nerve cell structure or function, known as neuroplasticity, can cause or treat digestive diseases. Specific projects aim to develop neuroregenerative approaches as new therapeutic approaches for enteric neuropathies.
Macrophages in the gastrointestinal tract
Gianluca Cipriani, Ph.D. investigates novel mechanisms that underlie the interaction between macrophages and enteric neurons, combining genetics, pharmacology, proteomics, in vitro cultures and advanced imaging techniques to identify potential therapeutic targets for various functional gastrointestinal diseases.