This course is intended for further in-depth study of the gastrointestinal physiology. Undergraduate students over forth year, and graduate students in medicine-and biology-related studies are encouraged to take the course. The course is offered as two credits per school term. The course content includes lectures and discussions of scientific papers in the field of gastrointestinal physiology. Students will be graded by participation in class (10 %), an essay (30 %), and presentations (60 %). The text of the essay should be double-spaced and with a minimum of 10 pages not including figures, tables, references or appendix. Please design two short essay questions with answers based on your review in the appendix. Additional assignments for PhD students only, please include two to three questions about what is still unknown in the field.
Functions of the gastrointestinal tract include motility, digestion, absorption, secretion and barrier. The GI tract plays dual roles, one serving as the first line for nutrient uptake and the other as a defense system against microbial pathogens. The gastrointestinal tract is the largest reservoir of commensal bacteria in the human body, providing nutrient and space for the survival of microbes while concurrently operating mucosal barriers to confine and restrict the microbial population. The turnover rate of intestinal epithelial cells along the crypt/villus axis that involves processes of proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis and shedding is crucial for maintenance of gut homeostasis. Recent scientific studies suggest dynamic interaction among enteric nervous system, immune system and the gastrointestinal mucosa. The lymphoid tissues in the gastrointestinal tract contain the largest number of immune cells in the body, termed gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT). The gastrointestinal immunity protects against invasion of potential pathogens, and provides oral tolerance to food proteins without developing an adverse immune response to unharmful dietary particles. The b