Cellular and molecular mechanisms for gut homeostasis in mammals

Aims To understand the role of cell surface receptors, that recognise bacterial metabolites (free fatty acids) and to examine whether high affinity synthetic agonists can be used to manipulate gut homeostasis. Significance Gut homeostasis depends on the production of certain free fatty acids, binding G-protein coupled receptors on gut epithelium and immune cells. High affinity agonists, 100-1000 fold more potent than natural ligands, will aid in understanding and manipulating gut physiology. This may explain the actions of probiotics and prebiotics, and how diet relates to the microbiome, and to immune processes in the gut. Expected outcome Novel tools to important receptors, to understand processes responsible for gut homeostasis