Stem cells can differentiate to replace dead and damaged cells. But how do stem cells decide which type of cell to become in a given situation? Using intestinal organoids, the group of Bon-Kyoung Koo ...

Researchers have found that the small intestine grows in response to pregnancy in mice. This partially irreversible change may help mice support a pregnancy and prepare for a second. Researchers at ...

EPFL scientists have shown that a gene linked to a rare childhood disease is essential for regenerating intestinal stem cells after injury. Our intestines are constantly renewing themselves, replacing ...

The capacity of intestinal stem cells to maintain cellular balance in the gut decreases upon aging. Researchers have discovered a new mechanism of action between the nutrient adaptation of intestinal ...

You may think of the small intestine as a smooth tube that winds its way through your abdomen. But if you were to look really closely at the inside of the intestine, you would see that it is lined ...

A new study reported in Nature has determined that the amino acid cysteine could promote regeneration among cells in the small intestine. The work showed that cysteine can activate an immune signaling ...

Gut support cells communicate with surprising precision – like brain neurons – using tiny extensions to send instructions to the stem cells responsible for maintaining and healing the intestine. The ...

This story is part of a series exploring human anatomy and physiology complexities. Each story in this collection showcases discoveries reshaping our understanding of the body's inner workings, ...