Our Research

Our lab is committed to conducting cutting-edge basic and translational science research to improve the care for children with Hirschsprung disease and other diseases of gastrointestinal motility, such as chronic idiopathic constipation, chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction, and gastroparesis.

A key regulator of normal intestinal function and motility is the enteric nervous system, a “second brain” of over 600 million neurons and glia, which functions independently of the central nervous system. Throughout life, the gastrointestinal tract is subject to significant external factors, such as stretch/distention and infection/inflammation, that may alter the enteric nervous system and the gut microenvironment. Our lab is focused on understanding how these forces affect the enteric nervous system to govern normal bowel function and how perturbations may lead to gut dysfunction.

We aim to unravel the relationship between the enteric nervous system, the intestinal microenvironment, and extrinsic biomechanical forces in order to find new and better treatments for pediatric gastrointestinal diseases.

Our Funding

Our Publications

The Cheng Lab is located at University of Virginia in Charlottesville, one of the nation’s premier public universities. We are surrounded by a tradition of research, rich history, and breathtaking natural beauty.

The University of Virginia is home to several wonderful research institutes and initiatives which we are proud to be a part of.

Check out the links below!

  • The BRAIN Institute builds and sustains interdisciplinary neuroscience research teams across UVA to address major societal challenges.

  • The CHRC supports scientists engaged in basic and clinical research for the purpose of discovering innovative therapies for childhood diseases.

  • TUMI aims to creat a central hub for cutting-edge microbiome research at UVA.