Sex Differences in Organ Plasticity

Title: Sex Differences in Organ Plasticity

Abstract:  Internal organs constantly exchange signals, and can respond with striking anatomical and functional transformations, even in fully developed organisms. We are exploring the mechanisms that drive and sustain such plasticity using the intestine and its neurons as experimental systems. I will present some of our recent work, which has explored the physiological plasticity of the intestinal epithelium using Drosophila, focusing on both stem cells and their progeny: the digestive/absorptive enterocytes. This has revealed unexpected sexual dimorphisms and intestinal contributions to reproductive success. I will discuss our ongoing work on how and why testes selfishly masculinize the metabolism of gut cells, as well as our attempts to explore how broadly applicable our findings may be using mouse and human models.