Research Projects
• Investigate how genetic and environmental factors
regulate gut sensory circuitry
To sense the complex intestinal luminal environment, organisms have evolved specialized sensory cells in the intestine epithelium called enteroendocrine cells (EECs). EECs exhibit huge heterogeneity. The development of these distinct EEC lineages forms the foundation of diverse "gut taste" in individuals.
Our previous research revealed that EECs in zebrafish behave in a similar way to those in mammals and can sense diverse nutritional and microbial information. This sensory ability is dynamically regulated by diet and gut microbiota.
We are interested in discovering new chemical and microbial stimulants that modulate EEC activity. Using the zebrafish model, we also aim to understand how EECs sense diverse intestinal information; and how environmental factors regulate the formation and plasticity of EECs.
Our previous research revealed that EECs in zebrafish behave in a similar way to those in mammals and can sense diverse nutritional and microbial information. This sensory ability is dynamically regulated by diet and gut microbiota.
We are interested in discovering new chemical and microbial stimulants that modulate EEC activity. Using the zebrafish model, we also aim to understand how EECs sense diverse intestinal information; and how environmental factors regulate the formation and plasticity of EECs.
• Investigate how nutrients and gut microbiota interact
with the gut-brain neuronal network.
The GI tract is innervated by the complex intrinsic enteric nervous system (ENS) and extrinsic nerves from the CNS, such as the vagus nerve. EECs form direct connections with both intrinsic and extrinsic gut nervous systems to transmit diverse nutritional and microbial information into the nervous system. The EEC-mediated gut sensory machinery is important in controlling feeding behavior, food preference, emotion, appetite, and metabolism. In addition to modulating brain function and systemic physiology, we and others have also found that EECs communicate with the ENS to modulate gut motility and gut microbial homeostasis.
We are interested in understanding (i) how EECs transmit diverse intestinal information to the nervous system; and (ii) how can we rewire the EEC-neuronal communication to treat metabolic disorders and gut-brain diseases that exhibit the comorbidities of GI symptoms and central nervous system dysfunction.
We are interested in understanding (i) how EECs transmit diverse intestinal information to the nervous system; and (ii) how can we rewire the EEC-neuronal communication to treat metabolic disorders and gut-brain diseases that exhibit the comorbidities of GI symptoms and central nervous system dysfunction.
• Investigate gut-metabolic organ communication
In addition to communicating with the nervous system, the EECs also secrete diverse hormones that can directly act on the metabolic organs such as the pancreas or liver. These hormones include the incretin hormone glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) which exhibits potent effects in promoting insulin secretion and glucose homeostasis.
The lab is also interested in using the zebrafish genetic and gnotobiotic approaches to learn more about how EECs communicate with the pancreas and liver to regulate metabolism and how environmental factors such as gut microbiota modulate EEC-metabolic organ communication.
The lab is also interested in using the zebrafish genetic and gnotobiotic approaches to learn more about how EECs communicate with the pancreas and liver to regulate metabolism and how environmental factors such as gut microbiota modulate EEC-metabolic organ communication.