Novel Defense Mechanisms in the Intestine

Paneth and goblet cells are specialized intestinal epithelial cells that secrete antimicrobial protein and mucus, respectively, together creating a barrier that limits microbial contact with the epithelium. Breakdown of this barrier is a hallmark of Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), debilitating illnesses characterized by chronic inflammations of the intestine which are prevalent in the industrialized world. These environmental factors include the “western diet” and the microbiome. Indeed, a dysbiotic microbiome is one the hallmarks of IBD. Our lab develops novel in vivo tools that we use to manipulate host genetics in specific secretory cells in the intestine. These tools allow us to study the interplay between mutations associated with IBD and environmental factors such as diet and the microbiome. The long-term goal of our lab is to understand how interaction between host genetics and environmental factors contribute to the development of IBD.