1978: Bachelor of Science with High Distinction, Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
1984: Ph.D., Anatomy, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
1984-1988: Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Columbia University, College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, NY
I am actively involved in teaching anatomy, physiology and comparative neurobiology to undergraduates, graduates students, medical students, and residents. My primary teaching responsibility is the co-direction and participation in the lecture and laboratory components of the human gross anatomy course taken by the students in the Doctoral Physical Therapy and Masters of Medical Science programs. I also give an integrated overview of gastrointestinal physiology, anatomy, and histology to first year medical students, and I run a biannual Comparative Neurobiology course for neuroscience graduate and undergraduate students.
My research focuses on the neurobiology of GI function in health and disease states and uses a variety of experimental approaches including electrophysiology, calcium imaging, immunocytochemistry and molecular biology. The following three different areas of investigation are ongoing at this time:
Altered GI function in multiple sclerosis. In addition to the somatosensory deficits that are typically associated with MS, these individuals frequently suffer from GI disorders, particularly constipation. We are conducting studies in an effort to understand the mechanisms responsible for altered colonic motility in MS. To accomplish this, we are testing the hypothesis that autoantibodies generated as part of the CNS inflammatory response target enteric neuronal and glial proteins leading to alterations in neuro-glial function.
Mucosal 5-HT4 receptors as a therapeutic target. 5-HT4 receptors in the GI tract have been targeted by receptor agonists for the treatment of constipation. In 2013, we discovered that 5-HT4 receptors are extensively expressed in the epithelial layer of the colon, and we found that stimulation of these receptors accelerates motility, decreases visceral pain, increases serotonin release from enterochromaffin cells, degranulates goblet cells, and induces chloride secretion from enterocytes. In 2016, we reported that enema administration of 5-HT4 agonists accelerates recovery from colitis, and increases epithelial proliferation, wound healing and resistance to oxidative stress. We are now interested in testing whether 5-HT4 agonists that specifically target these receptors can accelerate motility and aid in the reversal of colitis.
Modulation of serotonin signaling by probiotics. Serotonin is an important signaling molecule in the brain, in the gastrointestinal tract, and in many other peripheral tissues. We are testing whether serotonin levels can be up- and/or down-regulated by probiotic treatments.
2015-Present: Samuel W. Thayer Professor of Neurological Sciences, University of Vermont
2015-Present: Adjunct Professor of Anatomy, Biochemistry and Physiology, University of Hawaii
2001-Present: Adjunct Professor, Physiology & Pharmacology, University of Calgary
1999-Present: Professor, Neurological Sciences and Adjunct Professor of Pharmacology and of Medicine, University of Vermont
1996-1999: Adjunct Associate Professor of Medicine (GI Division), University of Vermont
1995-1999: Adjunct Associate Professor of Pharmacology, University of Vermont
1994-1999: Associate Professor, Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Vermont College of Medicine
1988-1994: Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Vermont
2015-Present: Designated as the Samuel W. Thayer Professor of Neurological Sciences, UVM
2017: Invited participant in an art exhibition titled Enhanced Vision: Artful Science, St. Michael's College
2016: Invited participant in Burlington Art Hop
2013: Senior Investigator - Basic Science Award, International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders
2013: Intestinal Disease Research Unit Lectureship. University of Calgary
2013: Invited participant in Dia de Los Muertos A Celebration of Life; works if art inspired by Day of the Dead imagery, Center for Cultural Pluralism, The University of Vermont
2006: Fellow, American College of Gastroenterology
2006: University Scholar, The University of Vermont Graduate College
2006: Killam Memorial Lecture, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University
1998: Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America Foundation Award in Excellence
1997: Basmajian Award of the American Association of Anatomists
1996: Janssen Award for Basic Research in Gastrointestinal Motility
1995: Finalist for the University of Vermont Kroepsch-Maurice Award for Teaching Excellence
1992: Outstanding Professor Award, Physical Therapy Class of 1992, University of Vermont
1992-1996: Heritage Foundation of Alberta Special Lecturer, College of Medicine, University of Calgary
1988-1993: NIH FIRST Award
1985, 1987: FASEB Summer Conference Travel Awards
1983: First Place and Best of Show, Men's Cooking, Ohio State Fair
1983: College of Medicine Graduate Student Research Award, Ohio State University.
1983: Neuroscience Research Laboratory Predoctoral Fellowship Award, Ohio State University
1982: Phi Kappa Phi Graduate Honor Society
1978: Bachelor of Science, with Distinction, Pennsylvania State University
1977: Sigma Xi Undergraduate Honor Society
Hoffman, J.M., K. Tyler, S.J. MacEachern, O.B. Balemba, A.C. Johnson, E.M. Brooks, H. Zhao, G.M. Swain, P.L. Moses, J.J. Galligan, K.A. Sharkey, B. Greenwood-Van Meerveld and G.M. Mawe (2012) Activation of colonic mucosal 5-HT4 receptors enhances propulsive motility and inhibits visceral hypersensitivity. Gastroenterology 142:844-854.
Roberts, A.J, L. Durnan, K.A. Sharkey, V.N. Mutafova-Yambolieva, and G.M. Mawe (2013) Oxidative stress disrupts purinergic neuromuscular transmission in the inflamed colon. Journal of Physiology (London) 591: 3725–3737.
Camilleri, M., D. A. Drossman, G. Becker, L. R. Webster, A. N. Davies, G. M. Mawe (2014) Emerging treatments in neurogastroenterology: a multidisciplinary working group consensus statement on opioid-induced constipation. Neurogastroenterology and Motility 26:1386-1395.
Hoffman, J.M., N.D. McKnight, K.A. Sharkey, G.M. Mawe. (2011) The relationship between inflammation-induced neuronal excitability and disrupted motor activity in the guinea pig distal colon. Neurogastroenterology and Motility 23: 673-682.
Mawe, G.M. (2015) Colitis-induced neuroplasticity disrupts motility in the inflamed and post-inflamed colon. Journal of Clinical Investigation 125:949-955.
Spohn, S.N., F. Bianco, R.B. Scott, C.M. Keenan, C.H. O'Neill, E. Bonora, M. Dicay, B. Lavoie, R.L. Wilcox, W.K. MacNaughton, R. De Giorgio, K.A. Sharkey, G.M. Mawe (2016) Protective actions of epithelial 5-HT4 receptors in normal and inflamed colon. Gastroenterology 151:933-944
Spohn, S.N. and G.M. Mawe (2017) Non-conventional features of peripheral serotonin signaling. Nature Reviews Gastroenterology and Hepatology 14:412-420.
Spear, E.T., E.A. Holt, E.J. Joyce, M.M. Haag, S.M. Mawe, G.W. Hennig, B Lavoie, A.M. Applebee, C. Teuscher, and G.M. Mawe (2018) Altered gastrointestinal motility involving autoantibodies in the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis model of multiple sclerosis. Neurogastroenterology and Motility In press
To view more of Dr. Mawe's publications, please visit PubMed. Search for G* Mawe for a full list of publications.