The intestine is not only an organ system responsible for food digestion and absorption in the human body, but also the largest endocrine organ and immune organ. Its various subsystems work in concert to maintain normal metabolic regulation and immune defenses. The multifaceted functions of the gut are regulated by the nervous system, which comprises both extrinsic innervation (sympathetic and parasympathetic systems) and the intrinsic enteric nervous system (ENS). In mammals, the ENS consists of millions of neurons and glial cells that form an integrated network. This neural architecture contains sensory neurons, interneurons, and motor neurons that establish functional connections, enabling it to autonomously regulate most intestinal functions. Hence, it is often termed the "gut's brain" or "second brain." The ENS is closely associated with gastrointestinal disorders, metabolic diseases, and food allergies. Recent studies reveal functional coordination between the ENS and the central nervous system through the "gut-brain axis."
Our research group will employ mice as model organisms to investigate fundamental questions in gut neurobiology and gut-brain connectivity. Using multi-omics analysis, novel viral labeling techniques, neurophysiological approaches, and advanced imaging technologies, we will study: 1) developmental mechanisms of enteric neural circuits, 2) functional modules underlying metabolic regulation and immune defense, and 3) neurobiological mechanisms associated with human intestinal diseases. By integrating clinical samples, we aim to identify novel drug targets and develop therapeutic strategies for enteric nervous system-related disorders.
Weiwei Liu, Anindya Ganguly, Jia Huang, Yijin Wang, Jinfei D. Ni, Adishthi S Gurav, Morris A Aguilar, Craig Montell* (2019) Neuropeptide F regulates courtship in Drosophila through a male-specific neuronal circuit. eLife;8:e49574. DOI: 10.7554.
Jinfei D. Ni, Adishthi S Gurav, Weiwei Liu, Tyler H Ogunmowo, Hannah Hackbart, Ahmed Elsheikh, Andrew A Verdegaal, Craig Montell* (2019) Differential regulation of the Drosophila sleep homeostat by circadian and arousal inputs. eLife 8:e40487.
Jinfei D. Ni, Lisa S. Baik, Todd C. Holmes & Craig Montell* (2017) A rhodopsin in the brain functions in circadian photoentrainment in Drosophila. Nature 545(7654): 340-344.
Bradley Akitake, Qiuting Ren, Nina Boiko, Jinfei Ni, Takaaki Sokabe, James D. Stockand, Benjamin A. Eaton & Craig Montell* (2015) Coordination and fine motor control depend on Drosophila TRPγ. Nat. Commun. 6 (7288).
Zhengzheng Li, Jinfei D. Ni, Jia Huang, Craig Montell* (2014) Requirement for Drosophila SNMP1 for rapid activation and termination of pheromone-induced activity. PLoS Genet. 10(9).
Yali V. Zhang, Jinfei Ni, Craig Montell* (2013) The molecular basis for attractive salt-taste coding in Drosophila. Science 340, 1334-8.
Xiaoyue Wang#,Tao Wang#, Jinfei D. Ni#, Johannes von Lintig, and Craig Montell *(2012) The Drosophila visual cycle and de novo chromophore synthesis depends on rdhB. J Neurosci. 32, 3485-91. (#Co-first authorship)
Address: Floor 2, Building B, Medical Research Building, 131 Dong
Postcode: 200032
Email: jinfei_ni@fudan.edu.cn
Address:No.138, medical college road 
Postcode:200032 
Tel/Fax:021-54237056
Emial:itbr@fudan.edu.cn220 Handan Rd., Shanghai(200433) Operator：+86-21-65642222 © 2019 FUDAN UNIVERSITY.
