MSAL Published Two Papers on Gut-Microbiome-Brain-Axis (GMBA)

Two papers authored by UMD PhD students have been receiving attention for their work on the Gut-Microbiome-Brain-Axis (GMBA). The research for both papers was made possible by NSF’s Integrative Strategies for Understanding Neural and Cognitive Systems (NCS) program. The mission of the NCS program is to promote NSF’s research in the development of neurotechnologies, particularly through the Understanding the Brain program and the Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative. Both programs emphasize interdisciplinary research across the sciences and engineering.

The project, led by PI Reza Ghodssi (ECE/ISR/Fischell Institute/Bioengineering), is titled “Developing engineering solutions to investigate microbiome-to-neuron communication” and is focused on investigating the complex effects of intestinal serotonin on both gut and brain health, developing a realistic picture of the gut-microbiome-brain axis system (GMBA). The program was a joint effort with Co-PIs Jens Herberholz in neuroscience (Department of Psychology, CNS), Wolfgang Losert in data science (Physics/IPST/IREAP), and William Bentley  in molecular biology (BioE/Fischell Institute/IBBR).

ACS Sensors featured the first paper, titled Simultaneous Dopamine and Serotonin Monitoring in Freely Moving Crayfish Using a Wireless Electrochemical Sensing System, on the highly visible inside cover page. The research focuses on the impact of dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT) on physiological and behavioral processes. Jinjing Han (ECE/ISR/Fischell Institute), Ta-wen Ho (Program in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science), Justin M. Stine (ECE/ISR/Fischell Institute), and Sydney N. Overton (ECE/ISR/Fischell Institute), along with Professor Jens Herberholz and Professor Ghodssi, contributed to the work.

The second paper, published in IEEE Sensors, is titled Serotonin Sensing Technologies to Promote Understanding of the Gut-Brain Axis, and was authored by Overton, Han, Michael A. Straker (ISR/ Fischell Institute/Bioengineering), Joshua A. Levy (ISR/Fischell Institute/Materials Science), Stine, and Ho with Herberholz and Ghodssi.  

More information can be found on UMD ECE News. (28 - May / 2024)