Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 10, 2025

An In-vitro Preparation of Isolated Enteric Neurons and Glia from the Myenteric Plexus of the Adult Mouse
Published on: August 7, 2013
Next-generation enteric neuroscience - fostering the future of the field
Anoohya N Muppirala1,2, Mitchell T Ringuet3,4, Alain J Benitez5,6
1Department of Paediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. muppirala.anoohya@gene.com.
Insights
The Little Brain Big Brain meeting fosters early career researchers in enteric neuroscience and neurogastroenterology. Organized by young investigators, it highlights field progress and future directions.
Area of Science:
- Enteric neuroscience
- Neurogastroenterology
- Gastrointestinal research
Background:
- The Little Brain Big Brain meeting has convened for over 30 years.
- It serves as a platform for early career researchers.
- The meeting focuses on advancements in the gut-brain axis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a historical perspective on the Little Brain Big Brain meeting.
- To showcase the research interests of past attendees and organizers.
- To offer insights into the progress and future of enteric neuroscience and neurogastroenterology.
Main Methods:
- This is a viewpoint article, not an experimental study.
- It features discussions from past attendees and organizers.
- Personal experiences and field observations are shared.
Main Results:
- The meeting has been a vital networking and knowledge-sharing event for over three decades.
- It has consistently supported the development of young researchers in the field.
- The collective experience highlights significant progress and emerging trends in gut-brain research.
Conclusions:
- The Little Brain Big Brain meeting remains a crucial event for advancing enteric neuroscience and neurogastroenterology.
- Its unique, investigator-led format fosters innovation and collaboration.
- The future of the field is bright, driven by the next generation of scientists.
Abstract:
The Little Brain Big Brain meeting was established more than 30 years ago as an opportunity for early career researchers to meet, present and discuss exciting new developments in the field of enteric neuroscience and neurogastroenterology. Crucially, the meeting is organized by young investigators, for young investigators. In this Viewpoint, past attendees and organizers of the Little Brain Big Brain meeting discuss their research interests, share their experience with this unique meeting and provide insights into progress in the field of enteric neuroscience and neurogastroenterology and its future outlook.
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