Friday, September 15, 3:30 – 5:00 p.m.
Beckman Room 1025 – Auditorium
Session chair: Adrienne Antonson
It has become increasingly apparent that endogenous microbes contribute to host brain development and function throughout the lifespan. Similarly, cues from the central nervous system influence microbial physiology at the cellular and community level. This bidirectional communication between the microbiome and the central nervous system is regulated through various neuronal, endocrine, chemical, and immune signaling pathways, each of which can be disrupted by exogenous stimuli. This session will highlight: (1) how microbes regulate early brain development during health and disease, and (2) how psychological stress can disrupt intestinal physiology and microbial homeostasis.
Presenters:
Towards understanding the role of the microbiota in fetal development
Helen Vuong, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota
Implications of diet and stress on microbiota-host neurotransmission
Brett Loman, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois
Stress hormone signaling modify epithelial layer physiology
Elisa Caetano-Silva, post doc in Allen Lab, Department of Kinesiology, University of Illinois
Exogenous and endogenous microbes influence prenatal brain development through immune signaling
Adrienne Antonson, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois