Gut/Brain Communication in Health and Diseases
Our lab uses advanced technologies, genetically engineered models, ex-vivo cultures, electrophysiology, calcium imaging and human-derived cell lines to unmask pathways regulating bodyweight, glucose and brain functions. Sensing of gut metabolites by the peripheral nerve system (PNS) is altered in states such as obesity, aging, or even neurodegenerative diseases (neuropathic pain, Parkinson etc.). We strive to translate our research to human to develop therapies. The last summer 2022, our lab relocated from Chicago to Lausanne.

The specific research directions
of our laboratory include
Project 1
How prebiotics lead to better energy balance and cognitive function?


Project 2
Role of microbiome derived-short chain fatty acid and their receptors in diet-induced neuropathies.
How gut microbiome can impact the peripheral nerve system and associated diseases such as pain?
Project 3
Gut-brain communication involving vagal and spinal sensing of short chain fatty acids


Project 4
How short chain fatty acids interact with immune cells to impact energy balance and glucose homeostasis?
Project 5
SCFA and mother/embryo interaction : impact on energy and glucose homeostasis


Project 6
C2CD5 role in energy balance and glucose homeostasis
Meet the team
Virginie Mansuy-Aubert
Principal investigator
Chaitanya Gavini
Senior Post-doctoral fellow
Gwenaël Labouèbe
Senior scientist
Emily Gornick
PHD student
Nadia Elshareif
PHD student
In the MALab, we believe that ...

Science
is real

Teamwork
makes the dream work

Love
is life

Sensory neurons
are cool

Feminism
is for everyone

Feeding your microbiota
is all
Lab Alumni
Tyler Cook, PhD student 2017-2022, currently post-doc at Colorado University Anshutz
Raiza Bonomo, PhD student 2016-2020 currently post-doc at the NIH
Hollie Schaffer, Year 1, STAR medical student
Robin Wang, Loyola summer research program (2 months), Cornell College
Ryan Parnell, Case Western, Pharmadiscovery student
Shaima Patangia, MS Neurosciences, September 2018 – February 2018
Isabelle Brown, Year 3 Loyola U. Chicago, summer then one day per week
Trisha Cabrera, Year 2 Loyola U. Chicago, summer then one day per week
Sergio Escobar, Northeastern University, Summer PharmaDiscovery student
Shaima Patangia, Jan 2019 – June 2019
Robin Wang, Loyola summer research STAR program (2 months), Cornell College
Neha Jihian, SPARK high school program (2 months)
Nabihaa Khan, SPARK high school program (2 months)
Emilie Verran, Pre-med at Augustana college
Alisa Wang, SPARK high school program
Allan Sherman, SPARK high school program
