“The value of experience is not in seeing much, but in seeing wisely.” — William Osler
Gastronauts Season 10 will continue to be hybrid with at a new, at the globally inclusive time of 10am EST. This season we will explore the interplay of medicine and science, where the ideas shared have an impact on our daily health.
September 2024: Gut touch
Dr. Arthur Beyder, M.D./Ph.D. is a Gastroenterologist and Neuroscientist at Mayo Clinic. His groundbreaking research focuses on the molecular mechanisms behind how our gut senses touch. By optimizing cutting-edge techniques and microfluidic technology, his team is paving the way for innovative diagnostics and treatments for gastrointestinal disorders.
October 2024: Microbial Bio-neering 4.0
Dr. Ophelia Venturelli, Ph.D. recently joined Duke University from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is a biomedical engineer that studies gut microbiome-host interactions. By leveraging bioinformatics, synthetic biology and microfluidics, her group manipulates key bacterial species to modulate the microbiome state and function.
November 2024: The secrets of engineering your gut
Dr. Scott Magness, Ph.D. is a Professor at UNC Chapel Hill. His research focuses on how genes control stem cells in the intestines and colon, using the gut as a model. His lab developed new ways to study single cells and mini-guts (organoids), leading to the creation of a “gut-on-a-chip” system that mimics the human gut. This system allows for detailed analysis and testing, including the introduction of human fecal samples, to better understand gut function and disease.
December 2024: Bite Size Summit
January 2025: The anxious gut
Dr. Kara Margolis, M.D. is the Director of the NYU Pain Research Center and an Assoicate Professor of Molecular Pathobiology at New York University. Her laboratory investigates the role of gut signaling, including serotonin, nutrition, and the microbiome, in mood disorders, disorders of gut-brain interaction, and neurodevelopmental disorders. Her research aims to develop novel therapeutics and drug delivery systems that target the gut-brain axis to treat these conditions.
February 2025: A gut-brain metabolic symphony
Dr. Darleen Sandoval, Ph.D. is a Professor of Pediatrics and Nutrition at the University of Colorado. The Sandoval’s laboratory explores the gut-brain connection, investigating how this communication influences body weight, metabolism, and the development of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Her lab utilizes cutting-edge techniques, including genetic mouse models and bariatric surgery, to dissect the mechanisms by which the gut-brain connection regulates glucose and lipid metabolism, offering crucial insights into potential therapeutic targets.