Current Projects
Main Research Areas
Intestinal inflammation, Immunology, Enteroendocrine Cells, Goblet cells, Gut Microbiota, and Host Defense in Enteric Infection
Research Focus
Investigating the interactions of enteroendocrine cells, microbiota, and the immune system in intestinal inflammation
Exploring the role of environmental factors in intestinal inflammatory diseases
Understanding parasite, microbiota, and host interactions in relation to intestinal goblet cell biology, mucin production and host defense
Current Research Projects
Defining how common food dyes affects microbiota and serotonin signalling to promote colitis (CIHR funded).
Interactions between serotonin signalling and autophagy in the context of gut inflammation (CIHR funded).
Modeling parasite, microbiota, and host interactions to develop a better understanding of goblet cell biology (NSERC funded).
Experimental Models & Methodologies
Experimental Models: DSS, DNBS & T cell transfer models of colitis (IBD); Trichuris muris parasite model of enteric infection, intestinal organoids, and human cell lines
Methodologies: cell culture, immunohistochemistry, immuno-fluorescence, ELISA, multiplex immunoassay, real time PCR, western blotting. microbiota analysis, flow-cytometry, etc…