Unveiling the gut's sensory code: Implications for food, development, and disease

University Of Arizona, Tucson AZ

Investigators

Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY This research aims to revolutionize the understanding of nutrition by investigating the concept of "nutritional memory," which posits that early-life dietary experiences create lasting impressions on gut neuropod cells that influence lifelong food choices and consumption patterns. This paradigm shift challenges the traditional calorie-centric view and proposes that the gut acts as a sensory organ, communicating vital nutrient information to the brain. The research will be conducted in three parts: 1) Characterization of the sensory landscape of gut neuropod cells, utilizing calcium imaging and electrophysiology to identify and profile nutrient receptors; 2) Elucidation of the role of long-lived neuropod cells in shaping food preferences, analyzing how early-life dietary exposure influences their transcriptome, epigenome, and proteome; and 3) Establishment of causality and exploration of therapeutic potential by ablating long-lived neuropod cells and assessing the impact on food preferences and metabolic health. The potential outcomes of this research are transformative, including: 1) identification of the molecular mechanisms underlying nutritional memory, 2) development of innovative interventions to reprogram unhealthy food preferences and combat diet-related diseases, and 3) establishment of new dietary guidelines for pregnant women and infants to reduce health disparities. The investigator is uniquely positioned to undertake this ambitious project, with a strong technical and conceptual foundation, a team of world-renowned experts, and a collaborative approach to unravel the mysteries of gut sensory memory and create a healthier future for generations to come.