The human stomach plays a crucial role in the digestive system. Its main jobs include breaking
down food, killing harmful bacteria that come with it, and starting the digestion process. These
tasks are managed by the stomachs lining, called the gastric epithelium, which is made up of
highly specialized cells, each with a specific function. Interestingly, we dont yet fully
understand how these stomach cells develop and specialize, especially compared to other
parts of the digestive system.
The goal of our current project is to explore these cell types in detail, focusing on how
they develop from stem cells and what controls this process. To do this, we grow human
stomach-like tissues, called organoids, in the lab. By tweaking the conditions in which they
grow, we aim to produce specific cell types, like mucus-producing cells such as foveolar and
neck cells that protect the stomach lining. We then identify the genes and proteins,
particularly transcription factors, that guide the development of these cells. This involves
advanced techniques, including analyzing gene activity and using tools like CRISPR-Cas9 to
switch off specific genes and see what happens. When we discover important transcription
factors, we study them closely to understand how they work.
The insights, we gain from this study, will reveal how stem cells in the stomach decide
what type of cell to become. Ultimately, this research could lead to better treatments for
patients whose stomach cells are damaged or dont function properly.