Dr Marlene Hao is co-lab head of a research group together with Dr. Lincon Stamp in the Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience. Our research is focused on investigating the development of the enteric nervous system, the nervous system in the gastrointestinal tract.
Proper development and function of the digestive tract is crucial for good health. Gastrointestinal function relies on the co-ordinated activity of neural circuits in the enteric nervous system. Our research is focused on the mechanisms controlling the development of the enteric nervous system and the potential of stem cell therapy for treating diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.