科研兴趣： Dr. Lin's main research focus is on the role of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the pathogenesis of neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a disease mainly seen in premature infants and a source of significant morbidity and mortality in the NICU. The existing data suggest that production of SCFAs in the bowel under normal conditions is very important for energy salvage and crucial for gastrointestinal adaptation and maturation; however, excessive SCFAs, especially butyrate, in the intestinal lumen can deregulate the normal process of apoptosis and may cause disruption of the intestinal barrier. The increased apoptosis can have a detrimental effect on
intestinal barrier function. Once the intestinal barrier is disrupted, the inflammatory cascade may
be activated, which can induce further injury to the intestinal mucosa including areas of the
intestine distant from the initial disruption. Therefore overproduction/accumulation of SCFAs in the
intestinal lumen may play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of NEC. The experiments in Dr. Lin's
lab are designed to elucidate the effects of butyrate on the intestinal mucosa barrier at different
developmental stages and the underlying mechanisms, which may help us to further understand the
important role of butyrate in postnatal intestinal barrier maturation and the pathogenesis of NEC.
These insights may lead to the development of novel prevention strategies.
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