intestines

October 9, 2014

Immune cells that guard against ingested pathogens discovered

Vanderbilt investigators have discovered a new type of immune cell residing in the intestinal epithelium that may function as a first line of defense against ingested pathogens.

April 17, 2014

Nutrient-absorbing surface’s assembly revealed: study

Vanderbilt University researchers have discovered how intestinal cells build the “brush border” — a specialized surface structure that is critical for absorbing nutrients and defending against pathogens.

November 8, 2013

Defusing ‘C. diff’ infection

November 19, 2012

Bird’s eye view of gut development

A new map of the developing gut of quail offers valuable tool for studying intestinal diseases.

May 14, 2012

Intestinal artillery launches anti-bacterial attack

The epithelial cells that line the intestines have a newly discovered mechanism for protecting us against microbes: they fire anti-bacterial “bullets” into the gut.