Gut

The human body has always been a source of great fascination and mystery. Despite significant scientific progress, research has only recently begun to provide further knowledge of the various cogs in this incredible machine. To this day, however, much of the body’s internal workings remain misunderstood, including those of the gastrointestinal system.

Together with the cardiovascular and nervous systems, the gastrointestinal system (also known as the digestive system) is one of the three great pillars of the human body, which develop from the simple primary cell and go on to define its entire structure. The gastrointestinal system is often considered to be less important than the other two, and overlooked in the hierarchy of what has the greatest influence over human actions. Yet, the digestive system has proven to be more complex than we think, and is responsible for many mechanisms that influence our mood and our defences against serious illnesses, as well as various other common ailments. This is why it is so important that scientists continue their research into the gastrointestinal system, and that we remember to take care of our own digestive system every day.

According to Dr Giulia Enders, biomedical science has made such great strides over the last few decades, and especially in recent years, that several long-standing assumptions have been completely overturned. Her research focuses on the role that the digestive system, and its bacterial flora, play within our body.