How gut fluid flow controls intestinal stem cells and gut health
Mechanical regulation of intestine stem cell-mediated tissue homeostasis in Drosophila
This project tests whether natural fluid flow in the gut controls intestinal stem cells through the TrpA1 channel and could help people with gut disorders like inflammatory bowel disease or colorectal cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Worcester, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11325720 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team uses adult fruit flies (Drosophila) to mimic natural gut flow and study how shear stress affects the gut lining. They measure calcium signals in enteroendocrine cells and manipulate the TrpA1 channel to see how these signals change stem cell division. By comparing normal and TrpA1-disrupted guts they aim to determine whether mechanical forces drive tissue renewal. The goal is to uncover basic mechanisms that could inform future ways to protect or repair the human gut lining.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Although the lab work uses fruit flies and does not enroll patients, adults with gastrointestinal disorders (for example inflammatory bowel disease or colorectal cancer) are the groups most likely to benefit from therapies guided by these findings in the future.
Not a fit: People seeking immediate treatments, children, or individuals without gastrointestinal conditions are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this basic laboratory research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new strategies for preserving or restoring the gut lining and lowering risks from gastrointestinal disorders such as colorectal cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Pilot data from the investigators showed shear stress triggers calcium signals via TrpA1 in gut cells and that disrupting TrpA1 reduces stem cell proliferation, offering promising early preclinical evidence in flies.
Where this research is happening
Worcester, United States
- Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester — Worcester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Emery, Patrick — Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
- Study coordinator: Emery, Patrick
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.