Neves lab

Mucosal Immune Interactions Laboratory

We study how different cells in the gut talk to each other – and how we can guide those conversations to support a healthy intestine and overall wellbeing.

The gut is far more than a nutrient‑absorbing tube. It is a complex, dynamic organ where multiple cellular communities interact, including epithelial cells, immune cells, neurons, stromal cells, and the diverse microbes that make up the intestinal microbiota. Communication between these compartments is essential for maintaining intestinal balance (homeostasis). When these interactions break down, they can contribute to a wide range of local and systemic diseases, including Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), cancer, food allergy, and neurological disorders.

To study these interactions, we build advanced intestinal organoids – 'mini‑guts' grown in the lab – that incorporate key cellular components found in the human intestine. Using these models, we have already discovered how a key type of mucosal immune cell, called Innate Lymphoid Cells (ILCs), actively interacts with epithelial and stromal cells. These interactions are crucial for intestinal homeostasis and are disrupted in conditions such as IBD.

By uncovering how these cellular conversations are coordinated, our goal is to learn how to steer those dialogues towards restoring or maintaining gut and systemic health.