Abstract

The adult intestine is a major barrier epithelium and coordinator of multi-organ functions. 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 my laboratory studies fundamental mechanisms driving intestinal regeneration and tumourigenesis including complex inter-organ signaling, which I will discuss during my seminar including: 1- Interactions between the intestine and its microenvironment influencing intestinal regeneration and tumourigenesis. 2- Impact of changes in intestinal homeostasis to whole-body physiology.