Research

The Division of Gastroenterology at Washington University School of Medicine performs cutting-edge molecular and translational research.

We have a diverse research base with physician-scientists (MD and MD/PhD) and PhD scientists conducting basic investigation into the molecular regulation of development, nutrient absorption, colon carcinogenesis, immune tolerance and inflammation and repair.

In addition, we conduct a range of active translational research, including novel therapies for inflammatory bowel disease, obesity and energy metabolism, hepatic steatosis, hepatitis C and topographic manometric assessment of esophageal motility.

Learn more about our NIH-funded Digestive Diseases Research Core Center »

Principal Investigator Research Interests
Matthew Ciorba, MD
  • Inflammatory bowel diseases
  • Indoleamine 2,3 Dioxygenase in Intestinal Inflammation
  • The role of probiotic bacteria in modulating mechanisms of intestinal repair
  • Visit The Ciorba Lab Site
Nicholas Davidson, MD
  • The molecular genetics of lipid transport and in the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression
  • Lipid storage diseases and defects in macronutrient absorption
  • The molecular genetics of colorectal cancer
Brian Dieckgraefe, MD, PhD
  • The study of the cellular signaling pathways and mediators used to sense and respond to epithelial injury
  • The identification of proximate events in the development of Crohn’s disease
Dayna S. Early, MD
  • Understanding barriers to colorectal cancer screening
  • The effect of insulin resistance on the development of colorectal neoplasia
  • The role of selenium on the development of colorectal neoplasia
  • Diagnosis of gastrointestinal cancers
Marc Levin, MD
  • The molecular basis of the small intestinal adaptive response following loss of small bowel surface area
  • Nutrient modulation of the small intestinal adaptive response
  • The role of retinoids and cellular retinol binding proteins in small intestinal adaptation
Jason Mills, MD, PhD
  • Developmental, molecular, and cellular biology of gastrointestinal epithelial stem cells and cancer
  • Visit The Mills Lab Site
Rodney Newberry, MD
  • Intestinal inflammatory diseases
  • The incidence of celiac disease among persons with osteoporosis
Deborah Rubin, MD
  • Identifying the molecular mechanisms underlying intestinal epithelial cell proliferation and differentiation
  • The role of epithelial mesenchymal interactions in inducing the normal morphogenesis and differentiation of the gut mucosa
William Stenson, MD
  • The role of inflammation in intestinal injury and wound repair
Sandeep Tripathy, MD, PhD
  • Natural Killer (NK) cell development and activation
  • Role of innate immunity in the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal and hepatic diseases