S19: Building mechanistic understanding of the bidirectional interactions along the gut-immunology-brain axis and the relationship with brain and physical health, cognitive function and mental health across the lifecourse.

Convened by BBSRC

Building mechanistic understanding of the bidirectional interactions along the gut¬ immunology-brain axis and the relationship with brain and physical health, cognitive function and mental health across the lifecourse.

Session aims:

The gut-immunology-brain axis (GIBA) refers to the bidirectional communication pathways that exist between the brain and intestinal tract by which the cognitive and emotional activity of the brain influences gut activity and the immune system, and gut activity, digestive products and the immune system influence brain and mental health. This complex network of connections involves multiple biological systems and signalling pathways such as the vagus nerve, enteric nervous system, neurotransmitters, the immune system and gut microbial metabolites.

The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), part of UK Research and Innovation, aims to catalyse the UK research and innovation community to use interdisciplinary and whole systems approaches, as well as developing high-quality methodologies and tools, to better understand GIBA. BBSRC is investigating how GIBA can modulate, and be modulated by, diet, lifestyle, chronobiology and other factors such as mood, emotion, stress, and anxiety to improve physical, cognitive and mental health across the lifecourse.

The report from the community building workshop BBSRC organised in March 2023 summarises the opportunities, challenges and the research and innovation needs to advance understanding of the GIBA is available here: https://www.ukri.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/BBSRC-170424-Report-of-BBSRC-GIBA-Workshop-March-2023.pdf

This session has three main aims:

1. Facilitate the exchange of the latest research findings and innovations within the GIBA field, and raise awareness of GIBA to the wider neuroscience community.

2. Showcase current and upcoming research activities within the GIBA field, including a how to engage with the BBSRC supported interdisciplinary GIBA network+.

3. Create opportunities to network and establish new collaborative relationships.

Chair: Professor Jessica Teeling

Dr Louisa Jenkin: Welcome and introduction to the BBSRC GIBA symposium

Professor John Cryan: Microbiome & the Brain: Moving Towards Mechanisms

Dr Aimee Parker: Microbial Modulation for Healthy Ageing

Dr Fränze Progatzky: Regulation of intestinal immunity by enteric glia

Dr Jonathan Swann: The Gut-Immunology-Brain Axis Network+: Advancing the UK landscape and beyond