Nowadays, the study of microbiome is increasing due to the link between the microbiome and certain diseases, mainly of neuronal origin. Unfortunately, we still do not know the mechanism of this communication.

To clarify these interactions, we are using the Intestinal Organ Culture System that we developed. This system preserves the physiologic tissue structure and cellular complexity. This provides an advantage over unreliable in-vivo experiments, and has already led us to discover unexpected roles of enteric neurons in mediating microbiota-induced effector and regulatory T-cells (Treg) development.

In order to investigate the interaction between enteric neurons and the microbiome, we generated optogenetic mice with channel-rhodopsin2-YFP– ion channels sensitive to blue light (450nm) that express CHAT1 or TAC1 neuronal cells. The gut from these optogenetic mice is connected to an Optogenetics Organ Culture System (OOCS) that includes our unique system inlaid with the Arduino system that blinks a blue LED light above the tissues. After validation of this new system, we will be able to manage the ENS activity, allowing us to follow the expression of this unique pathway.

We expect that this transformative experimental approach will provide novel insights into neuro-immune-microbiota interaction, and their long-term immunological impact.