Liara Gonzalez
Bio
Dr. Gonzalez is a veterinarian, specialty trained in large animal surgery, with a clinical and research focus on intestinal disease. Dr. Gonzalez’ research has aimed to develop and utilize large animal models to translate lab bench findings into clinically relevant therapeutic interventions that benefit both human and veterinary patients. She is particularly interested in identifying improved means to determine tissue viability following severe intestinal injury as well as studying the role of intestinal stem cells in modulating mucosal barrier repair following ischemic damage. Much of her research, to date, has developed the techniques necessary to utilize porcine tissue for the study of intestinal stem cells that includes porcine crypt isolation and 3D culture. Dr. Gonzalez hopes to apply her knowledge and expertise in advanced laboratory techniques to solve clinically significant problems and further elucidate therapeutic targets to ultimately improve patient survival. Outside of work, Dr. Gonzalez enjoys, trail running, ride and tie (rideandtie.org), CrossFit, and travel.
Learn more about Dr. Gonzalez here.
Area(s) of Expertise
BIOLOGICAL BARRIERS, GASTROENTEROLOGY, GLOBAL HEALTH
Intestinal disease is severely debilitating to both veterinary and human patients. In horses, colic is the leading known cause of death. Additionally, gastrointestinal diseases affect approximately 60 to 70 million Americans annually. One of the most dangerous forms of intestinal disease that afflicts both humans and animals is intestinal ischemia and reperfusion injury, which result in a lack of blood flow to the intestine.
In the face of no new therapies for treatment of intestinal ischemia in
decades, intestinal stem cells have been heralded as the greatest
potential therapeutic because of their tremendous capacity for proliferation and mucosal repair. Intensive study is underway to understand and harness the therapeutic potential of intestinal stem cells. NC State is leading the way in the field of large animal intestinal stem cells and novel stem cell-driven structures called enteroids, or “mini guts.”
Publications
- 45: Comparison of the Effects of Normothermic Machine Perfusion and Cold Storage Preservation on Porcine Intestinal Allograft Regenerative Potential and Viability , Transplantation (2023)
- A LGR5 reporter pig model closely resembles human intestine for improved study of stem cells in disease , FASEB JOURNAL (2023)
- Biomarkers of Intestinal Injury in Colic , Animals (2023)
- Changes in equine intestinal stem/progenitor cell number at resection margins in cases of small intestinal strangulation , Equine Veterinary Journal (2023)
- Respondents to an American College of Veterinary Surgeons diplomate survey support the promotion of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives , JAVMA-JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION (2023)
- Culture of equine intestinal epithelial stem cells after delayed tissue storage for future applications , BMC VETERINARY RESEARCH (2022)
- Genomewide CRISPR knockout screen identified PLAC8 as an essential factor for SADS-CoVs infection , PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (2022)
- Orthotopic Transplantation of the Full-length Porcine Intestine After Normothermic Machine Perfusion , Transplantation Direct (2022)
- Use of Translational, Genetically Modified Porcine Models to Ultimately Improve Intestinal Disease Treatment , FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE (2022)
- HOPX+ injury-resistant intestinal stem cells drive epithelial recovery after severe intestinal ischemia , AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-GASTROINTESTINAL AND LIVER PHYSIOLOGY (2021)
Groups
- Research Area of Emphasis: Biological Barriers
- CVM: Clinical Sciences
- CVM
- Clinical Sciences: DOCS Equine Surgery
- Clinical Sciences: DOCS Faculty
- Focus Area: Equine Practice
- Hospital: Equine Surgery
- CVM: Focus Area
- Research Area of Emphasis: Gastroenterology
- Research Area of Emphasis: Global Health
- CVM: Hospital
- CVM: Research Area of Emphasis