Rif. 6267_All. 2 - Physiology of the gastrointestinal tract and intestinal barrier in response to nutrients, pollutants and xenobiotics

The project aims to investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms regulating gastrointestinal physiology and intestinal barrier integrity under physiological and pathological conditions. The effects of nutrients, bioactive compounds, environmental pollutants and xenobiotics on intestinal homeostasis will be examined, with particular attention to epithelial permeability, inflammatory responses, oxidative stress and interactions with the gut microbiota. The activities may combine in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo experimental models, biochemical and molecular techniques, imaging and functional barrier analyses, within a physiological and translational framework. The goal is to clarify how dietary and environmental factors modulate gastrointestinal function and contribute to the onset or progression of intestinal dyshomeostasis