The research mission of the Gastrointestinal Unit is to advance the understanding, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases of the digestive tract, liver and pancreas. Discoveries into the underlying mechanisms of gastrointestinal diseases and new treatment approaches are facilitated by a large research base within the MGH and the NIH funded Center for the Study of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Novel ideas and challenges are constantly investigated in cutting edge basic and clinical research.
The research faculty of our unit encompasses established scientists with independent research programs supported by extramural funds from the NIH, other federal agencies, and private foundations. Many of our faculty are also actively involved in the teaching mission of the basic science and clinical departments at Harvard Medical School. Our faculty also provide the opportunity for the training of students and fellows in several disciplines that are relevant to digestive disease-related research. Several important research themes are actively investigated by our research faculty including:
- Epithelial Biology and Barrier Function
- Gastrointestinal Tract Development
- Mucosal Immune Responses
- Bacterial-Mucosal Interactions
- GI Neuroendocrine Function & Obesity
- Viral Replication and Injury
- Mechanisms of GI Tumorigenesis
- Genetics
- Quantitative Epidemiology of GI Tract Disease
- Development and Assessment of Novel Diagnostic Tools/Approaches and Therapeutics in GI Tract Disease
Several of these research themes are also important areas of emphasis in the overall research goals of the CSIBD. Members of the MGH GI Unit represent an important core faculty, encompassing several established investigators firmly committed to basic/clinical/ and translational scientific approaches as well as research trainee supervision. In addition, program faculty include investigators within other divisions and departments at the MGH, Harvard University and M.I.T. pursuing scientific investigation in areas relevant to the study of the digestive tract and related organs.
