Intestinal cells can change specializations during their lives. The BMP signaling pathway—an important communication mechanism between cells—appears to be the driver of these changes. That is what ...

Intestinal cells can change specializations during their lives. The BMP signaling pathway – an important communication mechanism between cells – appears to be the driver of these changes. That is what ...

Our guts hold a kind of brain, known as the enteric nervous system; it is a network of neurons that extends throughout the walls of the gastrointestinal tract. This neural network can also function ...

The human small intestine is an essential organ that helps us absorb nutrients and vitamins from food. It is an average of 6 meters long and is covered with millions of villi that are separated by ...

Using miniature guts grown in a dish and 3D biophysical modeling, FMI researchers and their collaborators have uncovered the forces that give the intestinal wall its classic brushlike appearance. The ...

Through a collaboration between Cornell and the State University of Binghamton in February, scientists found that food grade nanoparticles may potentially have detrimental effects on the function and ...

The intestinal barrier in poultry comprises a multilayered defence system that regulates nutrient absorption, prevents pathogen entry and maintains overall health. Its mechanical component consists of ...

This story is part of a series exploring human anatomy and physiology complexities. Each story in this collection showcases discoveries reshaping our understanding of the body's inner workings, ...