The adult intestine is a major barrier epithelium and a coordinator of multi-organ functions. As such, disruptions to intestinal homeostasis have profound impact on gut and whole organismal health. Stem cells constantly repair the intestinal epithelium by adjusting their proliferation and differentiation to tissue intrinsic as well as micro- and macro-environmental signals. How these signals integrate to control intestinal and whole-body homeostasis is largely unknown. Addressing this gap in knowledge is central to an improved understanding of intestinal pathophysiology and its systemic consequences.
Combining Drosophila and mammalian model systems the Cordero laboratory has discovered fundamental mechanisms driving intestinal regeneration and tumourigenesis and outlined complex inter-organ signaling regulating health and disease. Building up on these findings, this PhD project aims to.
1. Characterise systemic outputs associated with the process of intestinal regeneration and tumourigenesis, including metabolic and behavioural changes.
2. Identify the intestinal signals and mechanisms driving such whole-body changes.
Characterise the functional significance of changes identified in Aim 1, to intestinal health and tumourigenesis.
For informal enquiries, please contact Prof Julia Cordero (julia.cordero@glasgow.ac.uk)