So far, most research on the microbiome in IBD has mostly focused on gut bacteria. However, there is increasing evidence to support that other members of the microbiome, such as viruses, may also have an important role. Herein we plan to study the role of viral exposures in IBD development. A major challenge of this […]
The incidence of Inflammatory Bowel Disease is increasing worldwide in lockstep with modernization and worldwide ‘Westernization’ of lifestyles. One of the most important aspects of Westernization for human health is the adoption of a diet high in fat and sugar and low in fiber. Relatively little is known about how dietary sugar specifically affects the […]
Environmental factors are thought to contribute to the development of a range of human diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Interestingly, the incidence of IBD is higher in patients with autism, compared to those without. We propose that inflammation to which a developing embryo may be exposed in the maternal […]
The gut is composed of many cell types that contribute to its complex functions and ability to adapt to changing conditions associated with diet, lifestyles and the environment. Each of these factors can affect the health of the gut and contribute to intestinal disease such as inflammatory bowel disease and intestinal discomfort and pain. Many […]
Many genetic factors have been associated with increased IBD susceptibility. However, these only explain a fraction of the disease risk that an individual with such a predisposition experiences. Environmental factors have been proposed to work in combination with host genetics to cause IBD. Diet and the normally beneficial community of bacteria that live in the […]
The human gut is home to trillions of bacteria affecting our health. Even more abundant are viruses that specifically infect these bacteria. These viruses are called bacteriophages and have the ability to control the number and function of the bacteria that live within us. Individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as Crohn’s disease or […]
IBD patients have increased chances of developing colorectal cancer. Additionally this specific form of colon cancer is very difficult to treat. Despite numerous efforts we still do not fully understand the relationship between intestinal inflammation and the increased chance for colon cancer development. Understanding this will allow us to develop more specific and targeted prevention […]
The human intestine is home to trillions of bacteria of hundreds of different types, which are collectively referred to as the gut microbiota. Ideally, these microbes exist in a balanced state, where both microbe and man benefit from their presence. However, imbalances in the microbiota, which are referred to as ‘dysbiosis’, have been suggested to […]
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) can be a devastating illness. For reasons that are not clear, the cells that line the intestine in patients with IBD mount inappropriate immune responses toward the harmless bacteria that normally inhabit our gastrointestinal tracts. Treatments for IBD therefore involve suppressing immune responses to limit the damage caused by this immune […]
The gastrointestinal tract absorbs nutrients through the intestinal epithelium while controlling the resident bacterial community. A significant increase in the risk for inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) is associated with high cholesterol diets; dysbiosis, an imbalanced composition of gut bacteria, is an important hallmark of intestinal inflammation in patients with IBDs. However, the role of dietary […]
