Research
We investigate the molecular, cellular, and microenvironmental mechanisms that govern gut remodeling and regeneration across development, injury, and disease. Our work focuses on how stromal, vascular, immune, and neural niche interactions shape tissue homeostasis, injury response, and regenerative capacity in the intestine.
Our research spans three major areas: congenital gut disorders, acquired intestinal injury, and systemic or secondary disease states that affect intestinal structure and function. Through these studies, we aim to define how regenerative competence is disrupted in disease and how it may be restored for therapeutic benefit.
Our translational work includes the development and evaluation of regenerative therapeutic strategies and clinically relevant intervention platforms.
Research Areas
Congenital Gut Disorders
We study developmental disorders such as Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) and anorectal malformations (ARM), with a focus on how abnormal tissue architecture and microenvironmental remodeling impair intestinal function, neuromuscular development, and regenerative potential.
Acquired Intestinal Injury
We investigate diseases such as necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), with particular interest in epithelial injury, stem cell dysfunction, barrier failure, and regenerative breakdown following inflammation or tissue damage.
Systemic and Secondary Injury States
We explore how liver and biliary disease, sepsis, and aging-related conditions influence intestinal remodeling, epithelial repair, and tissue adaptation through systemic inflammatory, metabolic, and microenvironmental pathways.
Approaches
Our research integrates complementary experimental and translational platforms to study gut remodeling and regeneration, including:
- Human tissues and patient-derived systems, to capture clinically relevant disease features and tissue heterogeneity
- Experimental animal models, to investigate disease mechanisms and regenerative responses in vivo
- Organoid and assembloid platforms, to model epithelial, stromal, and multicellular interactions in controlled settings
- Spatial and single-cell omics, to define cellular states, lineage relationships, and microenvironmental remodeling
- Regenerative therapeutic strategies, to identify and test pathways that promote tissue repair and functional recovery
Selected Publications
A selected list of publications highlighting our work in gut injury, developmental disorders, and regenerative biology is provided below. For a complete publication record, please visit the Publications page.
