The history of microbiota research has been driven by a series of technical innovations. In 1683, Leeuwenhoek first glimpsed the previously unseen world of microorganisms, including bacteria, hidden ...

The proximal part of the small intestine, including duodenum and jejunum, is not only dedicated to nutrient digestion and absorption but is also a highly regulated immune site exposed to environmental ...

Chinese Medical Journals Publishing House Co., Ltd. The small intestine is not only essential for digestion and nutrient absorption but also for immune regulation and maintaining a balanced microbial ...

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, ...

Crypt-base-columnar cells are continuously dividing intestinal stem cells that generate IECs, which are composed by distinct specialised cell types that play different functions: Enterocytes (in the ...

Villi are tiny projections in the small intestine that absorb nutrients from food. Diseases like celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease can damage villi and cause malabsorption. Villi are ...

The gut microbiome is an important ecosystem of microbes that lives in each one of us, and its strength affects our overall health. However, the small intestine is an underappreciated part of the gut ...

It was the ancient Greeks who first divided the 20-foot length of the small intestine into three parts: The duodenum, the jejunum and the ileum. However, the organ may finally be ready for an update: ...

New research published today in Nature Genetics describes the largest-ever study into the genetics of random "round-the-clock" blood glucose levels. The study, involving almost half a million people ...

A research team led by scientists from the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) in São Paulo, Brazil, has made significant progress in understanding the relationship between gut microbiota and ...