Models and Methods for Mapping Gut Mucosal Integrity and Function

Organoid Technology
We use advanced intestinal organoid models derived from patient tissues. These three-dimensional cultures faithfully replicate the cellular and functional properties of the human gut, including epithelial differentiation and barrier formation. While the direct co-culture of a complete microbiome remains challenging, organoids offer unique opportunities to study host–microbe interactions indirectly, for example through exposure to microbial products. They provide a powerful system to test therapeutic strategies under controlled conditions and to investigate how compromised gut integrity can be restored.

Clinical Experimental Models
Our lab has developed and validated a unique human model of intestinal ischemia–reperfusion (IR). During elective abdominal surgery, short, controlled periods of intestinal ischemia are introduced, followed by reperfusion. This clinically safe model enables direct study of barrier disruption, immune activation, and tissue recovery in vivo. It provides unique opportunities to advance our understanding of gut resilience and to identify therapeutic targets for surgical patients.

Biobank of Intestinal Tissues
We maintain a biobank of well-characterized human intestinal samples, including both small intestine and colon, collected during surgery. This resource provides high-quality material for molecular, histological, and functional analyses, enabling the study of regional differences in barrier integrity, inflammation, and repair. It also supports personalized approaches by linking tissue biology to patient characteristics.

Functional Tests of Intestinal Permeability
We apply validated functional assays to directly measure intestinal permeability in patients and experimental systems. These tests quantify the ability of small molecules to cross the epithelial barrier, providing a dynamic readout of barrier integrity. Combined with molecular data, permeability testing offers a comprehensive picture of gut dysfunction in surgical patients.

Biomarkers and Molecular Profiling
We use complementary approaches to monitor intestinal integrity at both systemic and tissue level. Circulating plasma markers, such as intestinal fatty acid binding protein (I-FABP) and citrulline, provide minimally invasive tools to detect epithelial injury, assess enterocyte function, and track disease progression or treatment responses in real time. In parallel, we apply cutting-edge mass spectrometry technologies, including imaging MS in collaboration with M4I, to map proteins, lipids, and metabolites directly in intestinal tissue. This spatially resolved molecular profiling reveals how barrier failure, inflammation, and repair processes unfold in the gut, enabling the discovery of novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets with direct translational relevance.