Gould Lab

Mission

Uncover the basic mechanisms underlying gut motility by combining molecular genetic, imaging and functional approaches.

Key areas of focus

  • Functional gut motility assays including gut transit, pellet transit, fecal pellet output and colonic migrating motor complex.
  • Functional identification of myenteric neuronal and glial subtypes using cell-specific Ca2+ imaging techniques in intact, unparalyzed colon.
  • Functional identification of myenteric neuronal and glial subtypes using cell-specific optogenetic and chemogenetic techniques in intact, unparalyzed colon.
  • Molecular identification of myenteric neuronal and glial subtypes using immunohistochemistry, RNA-Scope, and RNA-Sequencing.
  • Development of novel electrical stimulation modalities to activate excitable cells.

Lab team

Thomas Gould, Ph.D., associate professor in Physiology and Cell Biology, currently oversees two research projects at the University of Nevada, Reno. The first project examines the basic mechanisms of gut motility by combining functional contractility assays with cell-specific Ca2+ imaging and modulatory techniques in ex vivo preparations of intact colons. The second project collaborates with other labs in electrical and biomedical engineering to use novel electrical stimulation modalities to activate excitable cells such as chromaffin cells, muscle and neurons.

  • Thomas Gould, Ph.D.: Principal Investigator
  • Nicole Procacci, Ph.D.
  • Sushmita Debnath, MBB

Notable research findings

  • Discovered that distinct subpopulations of cholinergic and nitrergic myenteric neurons exhibit temporally-specific activity patterns during spontaneous and evoke contractions that underlie peristalsis.
  • Established novel approaches to study the molecular mechanisms underlying conventional as well as rebound gut contractions.
  • Developed an assay to examine the effect of circumferential stretch on the activity of myenteric neurons.
  • Demonstrated that gut dysfunction in a mouse model of a neurodevelopmental disorder is driven by neurons of the enteric nervous system.

Equipment, technology and techniques

  • Upright calcium imaging scope
  • LED light engine
  • Ephys rig for sharp recording
  • Confocal microscope
  • Fluorescence dissecting microscope
  • Cell culture hood
  • qPCR

Active grants and research projects

  1. Laminin Protein Therapy and its Effects on Muscle Regeneration and Neuromuscular Function.
    • Award: R01 NS136281
    • Funding organization: NIH NINDS
  2. Isoform- and Sex-Specific Functions of CGRP in Gastrointestinal Motility.
    • Award: R01 DK135707
    • Funding organization: NIH NIDDK
  3. Nanoelectropulse-based electrostimulation to enhance muscle strength and mitigate musculoskeletal disorders in military pilots.
    • Award: FA9550-23-S-0001
    • Funding organization: Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR)
  4. Nanoelectropulse-induced changes in cell excitability: a new approach for neuromodulation.
    • Award: FA9550-20-1-0061
    • Funding organization: Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR)
  5. Targeting the ABCA1 cholesterol transporter to correct pathophysiological myelin formation in hereditary neuropathies.
    • Award: R61 NS1366
    • Funding organization: NIH NINDS