Grant: Operating Grant

The gut is home to trillions of bacteria that help us function properly. Disturbance of this bacterial ecosystem by infection, antibiotics or even stress can result in changes not only in bowel function but also in other organs including the brain. Chronic bowel conditions are often accompanied by changes in behaviour. The dialogue between gut bacteria and our bodies is difficult to study in human subjects. We wish to create a model system in mice we colonized with bacteria from patients with bowel problems and to study how these bacteria influence gut function, the immune system and behaviour. Understanding these interactions will lead to better treatment of these common bowel disorders.