Research
The human gut is a fascinating organ and environment. Digestive upset and disease plagues Canadians. While there have been tremendous advances in recent years in understanding the workings of the gut, there is still much to do in the search for cures of many idiopathic and inflammatory conditions.
Furthermore, a healthy, normally functioning gut is key to health and well-being in general. Perturbed gut function contributes to conditions as diverse as cardio-vascular problems and mental-health issues.
My laboratory seeks to enhance our understanding of gut function, and in particular, the induction, regulation and resolution of inflammatory disease, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Employing a range of leading edge methodologies, experiments are conducted under the following projects:
Defining the immune and intestinal (including microbial) response to infection with the helminth tapeworm parasite, Hymenolepis diminuta.
Image (taken by Sruthi Rajeev) shows an increase in number of tuft cells (an epithelial cell type) in the murine small intestine in response to H. diminuta.
Helminth therapy
Can infection with a helminth or treatment with molecules from the parasite be used to treat inflammation in the gut?
Image shows colon of mouse treated with DNBS/ H. diminuta and DNBS: Melon, Alexandra, et al., 2009 (BioMed Research International)
How helminth-derived molecules regulate phenotype and function of myeloid cells (Macrophages, dendritic cells and neutrophils)
Image (taken by Sruthi Rajeev) shows the strobilus (head) of a single adult H. diminuta worm.
Do commensal bacteria and pathogenic organisms such as adherent-invasive E. coli (AIEC) modulate mitochondrial function and dynamics in epithelial cells of the gut?
Image (taken by Samira Hamed) shows a fused mitochondrial network in epithelial cell culture.
Investigating the biology of the alternatively activated macrophage in the suppression of inflammation as a putative cellular immunotherapy for colitis.
Image (taken by Dr. Blanca Callejas) shows human macrophages that have phagocytosed fluorescent tagged beads.
If these topics have piqued your interest and you would like to join the team, please contact us.
Research in the Derek M. McKay laboratory is supported by:
