Global experts converge to advance gut knowledge

One of the hottest topics in medical research – communication between the gut and the brain – is the subject of two free public talks that will kick off an international conference in Adelaide next month on the burgeoning field of neurogastroenterology.

Chaired by two of Flinders University’s prominent gut researchers, Professor Nick Spencer and Professor Stuart Brierley, the week-long annual meeting of the Federation of Neurogastroenterology and Motility, at the Adelaide Convention Centre from 24 to 28 March, will bring together a host of international experts to examine  breakthroughs in gut/brain research.

The connection between the gut and brain is a key research area at Flinders University, which hosts five ‘Neurogastroenterology’ laboratories led by acclaimed researchers focused on specific areas. Several will present their newest research at the conference, including Professor Spencer who made headlines in 2018 with the discovery of how the nervous system in the wall of the gut can have a mind of its own, independent to the central nervous system, and conference co-chair Professor Brierley, who late last year revealed ‘itchy skin’ receptors also exist in the gut and result in the pain experienced by irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) sufferers.

Public lecture

The free public lecture will share, in lay persons’ language, how and why the gut communicates with the brain in the way that it does, and how gut-brain communication plays a major role in changes associated with health and disease.

It will feature Professor John Cryan from the University College Cork in Ireland to discuss interactions between the brain, gut and microbiome, and how they relate to stress and disorders like irritable bowel syndrome, obesity and autism.

Dr Amy Loughman will then share how diet effects the gut microbiome. From the Food & Mood Centre at Deakin University, her focus areas include the impact of the microbiome on mental health, behaviour and Alzheimer’s risk.

Attendees will have the unique opportunity to ask questions of leaders in gut/brain communication in Adelaide for the international meeting.

Where: Hall L, Adelaide Convention Center
When: 7.30pm-8.30pm, 25th March, 2020
Register: via the FNM 2020 website

Conference highlights

A conference highlight will be the opening presentation by Nobel Prize recipient Professor Robin Warren, originally from Adelaide, who, with colleague Professor Barry Marshall, revolutionised the treatment of stomach ulcers after their initially rebuked breakthrough that bacteria are the true cause of this painful condition.

Other world experts on the gut; including Professors’ Marcello Costa, David Watson and Simon Brookes from Flinders University will be involved in presentations at FNM 2020 or speak at full-day ‘satellite’ meetings on Sunday at the National Wine Center. These closed events provide a forum for the world’s leading researchers to share their latest findings.

“We’ll have the world’s best gut / brain scientists here in Adelaide. It’s an incredible opportunity for researchers, clinicians, students and others interested in this exciting area.” Professor Spencer says.

Flinders University gut health researchers presenting or chairing sessions at the conference include:

  • Professor Nick Spencer
  • Professor Stuart Brierley
  • Matthew Flinders Distinguished Professor Marcello Costa
  • Professor Geraint Rogers
  • Dr Luke Grundy
  • Professor David Watson
  • Professor Simon Brookes
  • Professor Damien Keating
  • Associate Professor Phil Dinning

Register for the conference via the FNM 2020 website

The 4th Meeting of the Federation of NeuroGastroenterology and Motility is hosted by the Australasian NeuroGastro-enterology and Motility Association Inc, the American NeuroGastro-enterology and Motility Society, the Asian NeuroGastro¬enterology and Motility Association, the European Society of Neurogastro-enterology and Motility, and the Latin-American Society of Neurogastroenterology.

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