Epithelial barrier homeostasis and response to infections
The forefront of the gastrointestinal mucosa consists mainly of a continuous polarised epithelial monolayer, protected by mucus. This strong defence barrier can be colonized by pathogens arousing a chronic inflammatory state. This exceptional colonization ability is associated with an increased risk of developing adenocarcinomas at the sites of infection. We have regenerated organoids and we have developed a new functional epithelial monolayer culture called “mucosoids”.

The mucosoids are human multi-lineage stem-cell based in-vitro equivalent of a real mucosa. They mimic the function of a homeostatic epithelial barrier including accumulation of mucus on the apical side. Use of human mucosoid cultures reveals novel insight into epithelial homeostasis and response to bacterial infections.
Date: 4 March 2025, 9:30
Venue: Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, Headington OX3 7BN
Venue Details: Room A+B
Speaker: Dr. Francesco Boccellato (University of Oxford)
Organising department: CAMS Oxford Institute
Organisers: Dr Ricardo Fernandes (CAMS Oxford Institute), Dr Dannielle Wellington (CAMS Oxford Institute), Mimie Szyk (CAMS Oxford Institute)
Part of: CAMS Oxford Institute Seminars
Booking required?: Not required
Audience: Members of the University only
Editor: Mimie Szyk