A famous physician named Dr. Gianrico Farrugia is the director of an enteric neurosciences-focused translational laboratory supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The lab is a crucial component of the Enteric Neuroscience Program at Mayo Clinic, whose director is Dr. Farrugia. His main areas of study include enteric nerves, interstitial cells of Cajal (often referred to as pacemaker cells of the gastrointestinal tract), and gastrointestinal smooth muscle.
The main goal of Dr. Farrugia’s research is to gain a thorough understanding of how the normal functions of the gastrointestinal tract affect the emergence of diseases like diabetic gastroparesis, slow transit bowel movements, and irritable bowel syndrome at the cellular, subcellular, and molecular levels. By unraveling the mechanisms behind these diseases, Dr. Farrugia aims to identify potential targets for the development of disease-modifying treatments. To achieve this, he employs various cutting-edge techniques, including high-resolution imaging, recording of ion channel activity, and next-generation sequencing. Additionally, he creates cellular and tissue models of these diseases to further investigate and explore potential therapeutic strategies.
Through his NIH-funded translational laboratory and the Enteric Neuroscience Program at Mayo Clinic, Dr. Gianrico Farrugia is dedicated to advancing the understanding of gastrointestinal disorders and working towards the development of targeted treatments. His research endeavors and utilization of state-of-the-art techniques hold great promise for improving the lives of individuals affected by these conditions.
About Mayo Clinic
The Mayo Clinic, located in Rochester, Minnesota, was established by the Mayo brothers, Dr. William James Mayo and Dr. Charles Horace Mayo. Their founding principles, rooted in prioritizing the needs of the patient, continue to shape the institution’s vision even after more than a century. Today, Mayo Clinic has evolved into the largest integrated, not-for-profit medical group practice in the world.
Mayo Clinic has gained recognition as a leader in providing high-quality patient care, surpassing other academic medical centers in the nation. While these accolades are deeply gratifying, they also serve as a humbling reminder of the trust placed in the institution. They reinforce the enduring tradition that each member of Mayo Clinic carries forward and the ongoing commitment to excellence that permeates the organization on a daily basis.
