Changing signal rhythms shifts balance of cell types in miniature gut models

A study conducted at the Hubrecht Institute reveals that the intestines use the rhythm of a signal to decide which cells to make. Researchers from the Sonnen group discovered that chemical signals oscillate at different rhythms in different cells of the small intestine. In a new study published in Science, they show that altering the frequency of these oscillations changes the balance of cell types that form. The findings may improve our understanding of how tissues maintain a healthy cell-type balance and how disrupted signaling dynamics contribute to conditions such as inflammation and cancer.

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