Stamp & Hao laboratory: Plasticity of the enteric nervous system

Proper development and function of the digestive tract is crucial for good health. Gastrointestinal function relies on the co-ordinated activity of neural circuits in the enteric nervous system, a network of neurons and glia located within the wall of the gut. During development, enteric neurons arise from neural crest cells that emigrate from the caudal hindbrain and migrate into and along the developing gut, differentiating to form all the different subtypes of enteric neurons and glial cells. Our research is focused on the mechanisms controlling the development of the enteric nervous system, its plasticity in adulthood, and the potential of cell therapy for treating diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

Gastrointestinal motility disorders have diverse causes, often linked to defects in the enteric nervous system. Our lab focuses on two key gut neuropathies: Hirschsprung disease, a congenital condition where enteric neurons are missing from the lower bowel; and achalasia, caused by the loss of inhibitory motor neurons controlling the lower oesophageal sphincter. Current treatment options aim to alleviate symptoms, but do not address the cause of the disease: the missing or defective enteric neurons. With support from the MRFF Stem Cell Therapies Mission (Treating Tiny Tummies), our goal is to develop a novel, off-the-shelf stem cell product for transplantation. We are excited to be working with many leading scientists worldwide on this endeavour.

In adulthood, the enteric nervous system is not a static organisation, but exhibits plasticity in many ways. Enteric glial cells, in particular, are remarkably plastic, and we’re exploring their potential as neural stem cells in the gastrointestinal tract. Read more about our research on glial cells from the gut and their protection against aggressive cancer development which is supported by Cure Cancer, the Can Too Foundation, and the NHMRC. In addition, insults to our gut can come from many different sources, including environmental pollution. In collaboration with A/Prof Brad Clarke at the University of Melbourne, we are investigating the impacts of microplastic and PFAS ingestion on health.

Ms Gunes Yildiz, Research Assistant

Dr Madeleine Di Natale, Post-doctoral Researcher

Dr Atefeh Namipashaki, Post-doctoral Researcher

Ms Eve Rowland, PhD student

Ms Linxuan Jiang, PhD student

Ms Matilde Oviedo Querejazu, PhD student

Ms Sneha Santosh, PhD student

Mr Benjamin Czapla, PhD student

Mr David Lai, PhD student

- Prof Lorenz Studer, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, USA

- Prof Andras Nagy, University of Toronto, Canada

- Prof Sebastian King, Royal Children's Hospital/MCRI, Melbourne

- Prof Megan Munsie, MCRI, Melbourne

- A/Prof Yugeesh Lankadeva, Florey, Melbourne

- Prof David Nisbet, Faculty of Engineering, UoM

- Dr Daniel Poole, MIPS, Melbourne

- Dr Simona Carbone, MIPS, Melbourne

- Prof Phil Dinning, Flinders University, Adelaide

- Prof Nikhil Thapar, Queensland Children’s Health, Brisbane

- Prof Nick Talley, University of Newcastle, Newcastle

- Prof Greg O’Grady, Alimetry/University of Auckland, NZ

- A/Prof Faranak Fattahi, University of California San Francisco, USA

- Prof Pieter Vanden Berghe, KU Leuven, Belgium

- Prof Kate Drummond, Dept Surgery/RCH, Melbourne

- A/Prof Theo Mantamadiotis, Dept Surgery, UoM

- Prof Gianluca Matteoli, KU Leuven, Belgium

- A/Prof Werend Boesmans, U Hasselt, Belgium

- Prof David Wilson, U Hasselt, Belgium

- A/Prof Brad Clark, Faculty Science, UoM

- A/Prof Jessica Biesiekierski, Faculty Science, UoM

2024-2029 MRFF Stem Cells Mission. Treating Tiny Tummies: next generation cell therapies for paediatric motility disorders

2023-2025 NHMRC Ideas grant. A gut feeling about new therapies for glioma treatment, lessons from the enteric nervous system

2021-2024 Takeda Pharmaceuticals Research Grant. Development of therapies for neuropathies that compromise digestive function

2023-2024 Cure Cancer Jennifer Eggins Trust Grant.