Gastrointestinal Stem Cell Biology and Gut/Pancreas Disorders
Identification of K cells in duodenum
The intestinal epithelium is continually replenished by local stem cells, resulting in nearly complete tissue turnover approximately every 7 days. This robust and dynamic process is tightly regulated by a small group of intestinal stem cells residing in the crypts of the intestinal villi. Because, these stem cells are responsible for the continual generation of all four intestinal epithelial lineages (secretory goblet, Paneth, enteroendocrine cells, and the absorptive enterocyte lineages), the intestine thus serves as one of the most powerful naturally occurring systems for the study of stem cell biology. CRM investigators employ genetic tools and ex vivo models in order to understand intestinal stem cells and the processes that govern intestinal lineage specification.
Stem cell models and novel stem cell-based therapies are also tested specifically for their potential to help patients suffering from target diseases treated in our expert clinical centers at Boston Medical Center, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD: Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis), cirrhosis of the liver, and diabetes.
Mouse iPS Cell Colonies
To learn more, please click on the webpages of one of our investigators studying gastrointestinal stem cells and gastrointestinal epithelial injury and repair:
