Relevance of an altered epithelial function in gastrointestinal and non-gastrointestinal disorders

The intestinal barrier separates the internal environment from the lumen of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. To keep the normal epithelial homeostasis (absorption of nutrients and water, water secretion…) a tight epithelial regulation is essential. Luminal components cross the intestinal barrier through the cells (transcellular pathway), or between the cells (paracellular pathway). During this project, we will explore the role of altered epithelial physiology including the barrier function (epithelial permeability) in the pathophysiology of several GI (GERD, functional dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome, IBD, intestinal ischemia) and non-GI disorders (chronic kidney disease, liver disease, and rhinitis, cystic fibrosis). 
For this, we will use cell cultures, animal models, and tissue from humans to study the epithelium functionally and structurally at the molecular level.