If you didn’t get a chance to tune into this weeks interview, be sure to download this pod cast!
It was my pleasure to interview Dr. Gunnar C. Hansson.
Education.
Dr. Hansson Received his MD. In 1976 from the medical school, University of Gothenburg. And his PhD 1981.
Research Initiatives.
Dr Hansson`s Is the head of the Mucin Biology Group at the Department of Medical Biochemistry. University of Gothenburg Sweden.
The research initiatives within Dr. Hansson`s lab are: studying the structure and function of mucins (mucus glycoproteins). This includes most aspects of mucins including also their glycan parts. A special focus is on the gastrointestinal tract and the role of mucins in the protection of the intestine and as part of the intestinal innate immune system. This also includes mucins in relation to cystic fibrosis and colon cancer development.
Be sure to listen to the interview of Dr. Hansson his work in the field of mucins is very interesting. Within the interview we spoke about the roles that mucins play within the biological system of mammals. And spent considerable time on the mucins of the gastrointestinal tract. The major mucin of the GI tract is called MUC 2 plays an important role in that it regulates what Dr Hansoon described as the inner and outer mucin layers of the gut. Within his studies, Dr. Hansson has found and interesting discovery. That the inner layer will present with bacterial infections, those of which can be fought off by the body and other times fester into a situation where he might find diverticulitis. However the inner layer of the mucins was not infected. The MUC2 molecule presents itself as the must have molecule for GI tract health. In the interview we covered some great articles such as:: the reactivity of antibodies with highly glycosylated MUC1 mucins from colon carcinoma cells and bile. Increased levels of mucins in the cystic fibrosis mouse small intestine and modulator effects of the MUC 1 mucin expression. The recombinant C-terminus of the human MUC2 mucin forms dimmers in Chinese- hamster ovary cells and heterodimers with full length MUC 2 in LS174T cells. And even a chapter that the Doctor wrote for a textbook; Biosynthesis and secretion of mucins, especially the muc2 mucin in relation to cystic fibrosis.
Here are some links of interest.
http://www.medkem.gu.se/mucinbiology/research.html
http://www.medkem.gu.se/mucinbiology/general.html
http://en.scientificcommons.org/gunnar%C2%A0c_hansson
http://www.medkem.gu.se/mucinbiology/databases/
http://content.karger.com/ProdukteDB/produkte.asp?Doi=56513
http://ajpgi.physiology.org/cgi/content/abstract/291/2/G203
http://www.jbc.org/cgi/reprint/M210069200v1.pdf
