Kaji Lab

KAJI LABORATORY RESEARCH

The Kaji Lab investigates gastrointestinal physiology utilizing mouse models and organoids. My long-term interest is how luminal chemosensory signals regulate epithelial cell metabolism, differentiation, and electrolyte transport functions, and how these functions are disrupted in diarrheal diseases. We currently conduct two major projects that are supported by NIDDK, Vanderbilt DDRC, and VICC GI Spore. 1) NIDDK-funded project focuses on intestinal MYO5B functions with ultimate goal of developing drugs that treat malabsorption in microvillus inclusion disease, which is caused by functional loss of MYO5B, as well as in general diarrhea. 2) Pilot grants-funded projects investigate monocarboxylate transporter functions in different types of epithelial cells under homeostasis and metaplastic conditions. (2023 Feb)

Click here for PubMed:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/izumi.kaji.1/bibliography/public/

 

IzumiHeadshot

Izumi Kaji, PhD
Assistant Professor
Department of Surgery
Izumi.Kaji@vumc.org

Twitter: @iKajiLab

 

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    Cynthia Ramos
    Lab Manager

     

     

     

    Andreanna Burman
    CDB Graduate Student

     

     

     

    Michael Momoh
    Research Assistant

     

     

     

    Francisca Adeniran
    Research Assistant

     

  • May 2024 – Andreanna’s microscopy image has been selected for VCSCB Symposium poster!

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    April 2024 – Attended American Physiology Summit 2024 at Long Beach CA.

    Andreanna Burman received 3rd place of Trainee Poster Award at the GIL section trainee symposium!

     

     

    March 2024 – Presented at Vanderbilt DDRC Retreat.

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    Francisca Adeniran received 2nd place of Poster Award!

     

     

    September 2023 – Attended / co-chaired FASEB GI Epithelium Conference at Steamboat Springs.

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    Andreanna Burman received Trainee Engagement Award!

     

    - May 2023 – Attended Digestive Disease Week / American Gastroenterology Association at Chicago

    - Andreanna Burman received DDW Basic Science Travel Award!

    Andreanna Burman received DDW Basic Science Travel Award!

     

    - April 2023 – Attended the American Physiological Summit at Long Beach LA

    - Michael Momoh received the John Forte Distinguished Abstract Award! - Andreanna Burman received the John Forte Distinguished Abstract Award and the GI-L Physiology Section Poster Award! - Izumi Kaji received American Physiological Society GI & Liver Section New Investigator Award!

    Michael Momoh received the John Forte Distinguished Abstract Award!

    Andreanna Burman received the John Forte Distinguished Abstract Award and the GI-L Physiology Section Poster Award!

    Izumi Kaji received American Physiological Society GI & Liver Section New Investigator Award!

     

     

     

     

     

    2023 Holiday Dinner

     

    2022 Holiday Lunch

     

    - August 2022 - Presented at FASEB Gastrointestinal Track XX Conference in Steamboat Springs

    - May 2022 - Presented at Digestive Disease Week in San Diego

    - April 2022 - Andreanna Burman is awarded by National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program!

    - April 2022 - Presented at Experimental Biology in Philadelphia

     

    Izumi Kaji won Vector Microscopy Image Contest in 2021

     

    - August 2021 - Andreanna Burman received Histochemical Society Cornerstone Grant!

    - August 2021 - Presented / co-chaired at FASEB Gastrointestinal Track XIX Conference

    - May 2021 - Presented at virtual Digestive Disease Week

    - April 2021 - Presented / co-chaired at virtual Experimental Biology

    - March 2021 - Presented posters at virtual Keystone Meeting