Program

Welcome and Dinner | Kinnear Centre (KC 303)

Keynote Presentation:  Guy Boeckxstaens, KU Leuven, Belgium

How resident macrophages shape and maintain the enteric nervous system

Session 1: New concepts in enteric neurobiology

Brian Gulbransen, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI

Enteric glia tune myenteric gut neurocircuits

Kristen Smith-Edwards, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN

Neural control of colon function: a tale of two brains

Sima Sohi, Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lynchburg, VA (trainee prize abstract)

Endotoxin endotheliopathy induced vascular leak of IgG causes ileus

Ulrika Marklund, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden

Cellular diversity and connectivity within the enteric nervous system

Session 2:  Microbiome-gut-brain axis

Chairs: Valerie Taylor (U. Calgary) & Nathalie Vergnolle (INSERM)

Giada DePalma, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON

Microbial mechanisms underlying gut-brain axis dysfunction

Melanie Gareau, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA

The developing microbiota-gut-brain axis: impacts of neonatal dysbiosis

Nasser Abdullah, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB (trainee prize abstract)

Early-life microbiota colonization programs nociceptor excitability and pain sensitivity via mast cell-derived NGF

Stuart Brierley, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia

Dialogue between specialized gut cells and nerves contributes to the sex bias of gut pain

Session 3:  Neuroimmunophysiology:  The Next Generation       

Ramsha Mahmood, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg  (trainee prize abstract)

Altered gut microbiota composition and functions suggests fibre fermentation is reduced in children with MS

Armaan Mohan, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB (trainee prize abstract)

Commensal bacteria and pathobiont crosstalk in the gut: E. coli-LF82-induced fragmentation of epithelial mitochondrial networks is reduced by co-treatment with butyrate through FFAR3

Wilmarie Morales-Soto, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN (trainee prize abstract)

Circuit mechanisms underlying region-specific colon dysmotility during inflammation

Career Talk - Academic route – Kathy McCoy, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB

Career Talk - Clinician-Scientist route – Nicola Jones, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON

Pathways to becoming a clinician scientist/ investigator

Session 4:  Pathophysiology of GI disorders

Chairs: Derek McKay (U. Calgary) & Bruce Vallance (U. British Columbia)

Elena Verdu, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON

Novel mechanisms in the pathophysiology of celiac disease: from basics to therapies

Yasmin Nasser, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB

Chronic pain in IBD: mechanisms and translational perspective

Samuel Van Remoortel, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium (trainee prize abstract)

Pseudo-allergic mast cell signaling safeguards acute colitis progression in mice

Nicola Jones, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON

Understanding disease pathophysiology to drive drug discovery for prevention of gastric cancer

Session 5:  Neural control of gut immunity

Chairs: Christophe Altier (U. Calgary) & Blanca Callejas (U. Calgary)

Isaac Chiu, Harvard University, Boston, MA

Nociceptor neuron regulation of gut barrier protection and immunity

Samantha Gruenheid, McGill University, Montréal, QC

Investigating the links between the immune activation and neuron dysfunction in a mouse model of Parkinson’s Disease

Patricia Souza, Federal University of Sergipe, Brazil (prize abstract)

T cells regulate intestinal motility and shape enteric neuronal responses to intestinal microbiota

Milena Bogunovic, U. Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA

Mechanisms of enteric nervous system remodeling by mucosal inflammation

Coffee Break

Session 6:  Role of the epithelium in GI disorders

Chairs: Wally MacNaughton (U. Calgary) & Francois Boudreau (U Sherbrooke)

Waliul Khan, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON

Understanding the roles of enterochromaffin cells and serotonin in colitis: recent advances

Arshad Ayyaz, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB

Origins of regenerative plasticity in the intestinal epithelium and development of disease

Vilcy Reyes Nicolas, University of Sherbrooke, QC (trainee prize abstract)

Telocyte BMP signaling influences niche factors secretion and fibrillar collagen homeostasis protecting against colitis-associated cancer

Jakob von Moltke, University of Washington, Seattle, WA

Tuft cells regulate epithelial ion flux in homeostasis and type 2 inflammation

Perspectives: Kim Barrett (UC Davis) and John Furness (U. Melbourne)

 Closing remarks and Departures

Lunch | Vistas Dining Room, Sally Borden Building

Breakfast | Vistas Dining Room, Sally Borden Building