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Diego V. Bohorquez

Associate Professor of Medicine
Medicine, Gastroenterology
Box 2651 - 221A Msrbi, 203 Research Dr, Durham, NC 27710

Overview


I am a gut-brain neuroscientist.

Though my initial studies focused on GI physiology and nutrition, my expertise evolved to include neuroscience following the many personal stories, which have carefully sharpened my career vision along the way.  While pursuing a Doctoral degree in Nutrition, a friend shared her struggles with obesity and gastric bypass surgery.  

Surgery was a last resort but helped to reduced her body weight dramatically and resolved her diabetes.  Yet, the most striking part …

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Associate Professor of Medicine · 2024 - Present Medicine, Gastroenterology, Medicine
Associate Professor in Pathology · 2021 - Present Pathology, Clinical Science Departments
Associate Research Professor in Neurobiology · 2021 - Present Neurobiology, Basic Science Departments
Associate Professor of Cell Biology · 2022 - Present Cell Biology, Basic Science Departments
Faculty Network Member of the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences · 2015 - Present Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, University Institutes and Centers

In the News


Published January 13, 2022
Your Gut Senses the Difference Between Real Sugar and Artificial Sweetener
Published October 1, 2019
Two Medicine Researchers Named NIH "New Innovators"
Published September 20, 2018
“Gut Sense” is Hardwired, not Hormonal

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Recent Publications


Deciphering visceral instincts: a scientific quest to unravel food choices from molecules to mind.

Journal Article Genes Dev · October 16, 2024 The study of biological mechanisms, while crucial, cannot fully explain complex phenomena like the instinct to eat. The mind-body connection, as exemplified by the concept of "voodoo death," highlights the profound influence of belief and cultural context ... Full text Link to item Cite

Multifunctional microelectronic fibers enable wireless modulation of gut and brain neural circuits.

Journal Article Nat Biotechnol · June 2024 Progress in understanding brain-viscera interoceptive signaling is hindered by a dearth of implantable devices suitable for probing both brain and peripheral organ neurophysiology during behavior. Here we describe multifunctional neural interfaces that com ... Full text Link to item Cite

The neural basis of sugar preference.

Journal Article Nat Rev Neurosci · October 2022 When it comes to food, one tempting substance is sugar. Although sweetness is detected by the tongue, the desire to consume sugar arises from the gut. Even when sweet taste is impaired, animals can distinguish sugars from non-nutritive sweeteners guided by ... Full text Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants


Neurobiology Training Program

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2024 - 2029

Endocrinology and Metabolism Training Program

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2024 - 2029

Gut epithelial control of nutrient reward

ResearchMentor · Awarded by National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases · 2024 - 2028

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Education, Training & Certifications


North Carolina State University · 2010 Ph.D.

External Links


Gutbrains