Role of nutrient availability in epithelial-immune cell cross-talk in human gut models
Supervisors
Dr Claire Bourke, School of Infection & Immunity, University of Glasgow
Dr Melanie Jimenez , Biomedical Engineering, Univesrity of Strathcylde
Prof Gwo-Tzer Ho, School for Infection and Immunity, University of Glasgow
Summary
The human gut is constantly exposed to nutrients and microbes, which influence the cells lining the gut (epithelium) and their interactions with local immune cells. Adaptation of the epithelial barrier to these environmental cues is essential for nutrient absorption while preventing harmful microbes and toxins from entering the body. Most laboratory studies of the gut use nutrient-rich conditions that do not reflect restricted dietary environments experienced by many populations. Consequently, we know surprisingly little about how the gut barrier functions under different nutritional conditions.
This project will investigate how nutrient availability shapes the epithelial-immune cell interactions that maintain gut homeostasis. Using human intestinal organoid-immune cell models with integrated biosensors, the student will quantify movement of nutrients and microbial antigens across the epithelial barrier and compare epithelial and immune cell responses under nutrient-sufficient and nutrient-restricted conditions. The project will focus on nutrients commonly limited in marginal diets, generating models and technologies with potential applications for understanding gut health in nutrition-related disorders.
The project will provide interdisciplinary training in laboratory immunology, human organoid culture and advanced biomedical engineering approaches, including biosensor fabrication and deformability cytometry, across the Universities of Glasgow and Strathclyde. The resulting translational research experience will be relevant to careers in academia, biotechnology, clinical diagnostics and global health.