Magdalena Maj
Magdalena Maj, Ph.D.Education
B.S. & M.S. in Biotechnology, West Pomeranian University of Technology, Poland
Ph.D., Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Louisville, Kentucky
Postdoctoral Fellow, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Research Interests
- Neurobiology and neurobehavior
- Liver-gut-brain axis
- Effect of diet and chemicals on the integrated physiology
- Biochemical and cell biology lab techniques
- Biotechnology, vaccine development
- Community outreach (effect of diet on the gut-brain axis)
Research
My research team studies the cellular mechanisms linking metabolic and neurodegenerative disorders. In years 2017-2019, we have developed at Cal Poly a pediatric animal model of diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and neurodegeneration. Our model represents the earliest age of diet-induced NAFLD and neurodegeneration worldwide. This allows us to study the effects of environmental insults, such as diet and herbicides on the liver-gut-brain axis in early life and investigate potential treatments. My team is particularly interested in how changes in the gut microbiome affect intestinal health, peripheral levels of metabolites, toxins, and inflammation, and how those changes in the periphery impact the blood-brain-barrier and brain health.
1) Evaluating an efficacy and safety of the Vagus Nerve Stimulation.
Patients suffering from chronic constipation often show a decreased frequency of Vagus Nerve activity. The goal of this project is to evaluate an efficacy and safety of the Vagus Nerve stimulation by implanting pulse generators in a non-ruminant animal model.
2) Effect of chronic glyphosate-based herbicide supplementation on the liver-gut-brain axis in an animal model of metabolic syndrome.
The goal of this project is to evaluate whether glyphosate residues in our food have an impact on the development and progression of NAFLD, gut dysbiosis, neurobehavior, and brain health.
If you are interested in joining my lab, please email me at mmaj@calpoly.edu
Publications