David R. Brown, Ph.D.

Professor, Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences

E-MAIL: [email protected]


Research Interests:

Dr. Brown's laboratory investigates the functional consequences of neuronal communication with epithelial and immune cells in mucosal tissues, particularly those found in the intestine, female reproductive tract and airways. His studies demonstrate that drugs of abuse, which alter peripheral neurotransmission at these sites, can affect protective mechanisms and microbial colonization at mucosal surfaces. Studies are conducted primarily at the molecular, cellular, and tissue levels using an array of cutting-edge methodological approaches. The results of these investigations provide important insights into drug targets for the alleviation of infection, inflammation and pain as well as enhancements in vaccine efficacy and drug delivery.


Selected Publications:

(For a comprehensive list of recent publications, refer to PubMed, a service provided by the National Library of Medicine.)

  • Lyte M, Villageliú DN, Crooker BA, Brown DR.   Symposium review: Microbial endocrinology-Why the integration of microbes, epithelial cells, and neurochemical signals in the digestive tract matters to ruminant health.  J Dairy Sci. 2018 Mar 14;. PMID: 29550113
  • Lyte M, Brown DR. Evidence for PMAT- and OCT-like biogenic amine transporters in a probiotic strain of Lactobacillus: Implications for interkingdom communication within the microbiota-gut-brain axis.  PLoS One. 2018;13(1):e0191037.  PMID: 29324833
  • Vidovic S, Medihala P, Dynes JJ, Daida P, Vujanovic V, Hitchcock AP, Shetty D, Zhang H, Brown DR, Lawrence JR, Korber DR.   Importance of the RpoE Regulon in Maintaining the Lipid Bilayer during Antimicrobial Treatment with the Polycationic Agent, Chlorhexidine.   Proteomics. 2018 Feb;18(3-4).  PMID: 29280319
  • Green BT, Brown DR. Interactions between bacteria and the gut mucosa: Do enteric neurotransmitters acting on the mucosal epithelium influence intestinal colonization or infection? Adv Exp Med Biol. 2016;874:121-41.
  • Brown DR. Catecholamine-directed epithelial cell interactions with bacteria in the intestinal mucosa. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2016;874:79-99.
  • Brosnahan AJ, Jones BJ, Dvorak CM, Brown DR. Morphine attenuates apically-directed cytokine secretion from intestinal epithelial cells in response to enteric pathogens. Pathogens. 2014;3:249-57.

Former Graduate Students:

Kristin Schreiber (Ph.D. 2004, Neuroscience, University of Minnesota).

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