M. Maya Kaelberer, PhD

Dr. Kaelberer is a sensory neuro-gastroenterologist who studies the connection between the brain and the gut. The goal of her research program is to pioneer a new understanding of how the gut senses and responds to the complex composition of food, going beyond traditional calorie counting. 

Specifically, the laboratory investigates the relationship between the vagus nerve and specialized gut sensory cells, called neuropod cells. Neuropod cells may hold the key to deciphering the “nutritional code” by which the gut identifies and reacts to various nutrients, shaping our food preferences and potentially influencing long-term health. Using a cutting-edge suite of techniques and cross-discipline collaborations, the lab aims to map the diverse array of nutrient receptors and signaling pathways within neuropod cells, uncovering how these cells distinguish between different types of sugars, fats, proteins, vitamins and minerals. This research has profound implications for understanding how our bodies process food and could lead to innovative strategies for addressing diet-related diseases by targeting gut-brain communication pathways.