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.
| Principal Investigator | Research Interests |
|---|---|
| Matthew Ciorba, MD | Inflammatory Bowel Disease (laboratory, clinical, and translational clinical trials) Colorectal Cancer (laboratory and translational clinical trials) Intestinal SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19 (laboratory and clinical) Additional Keywords: Organoids, probiotics, radiation, murine models, tryptophan metabolism, Crohn’s, colitis 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. Visit the Davidson Lab site |
| Ramon Jin, MD, PhD | Gastroesophageal Oncogenesis, Barrett’s esophagus, Gastric intestinal metaplasia, Gastric adenocarcinoma, Esophageal adenocarcinoma, Patient-derived organoids, Genetic mouse models of upper GI metaplasias/neoplasias |
| Parakkal Deepak, MBBS, MS | Utilizing non-invasive methodologies for assessment of disease activity and response to medical therapy in Crohn’s disease. My research has explored transmural response assessed with computed tomography or magnetic resonance enterography as a treatment target in small bowel Crohn’s disease. Novel biomarker discovery studies using a multiomics (radiomics, proteomics and metabolomic) approach towards early prediction of non-response with biologics in Crohn’s disease in blood and stool. Body composition analysis as a predictor of long-term outcomes and a marker of response in small bowel Crohn’s disease. Exploring fatty liver disease in patients with Crohn’s disease using cutting edge technologies in magnetic resonance imaging. |
| Rodney Newberry, MD | Intestinal inflammatory diseases; The incidence of celiac disease among persons with osteoporosis. Visit The Newberry Lab site |
| 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 |
| Jose Saenz, MD, PhD | Research interests: chronic gastritis, autoimmune gastritis, Helicobacter pylori, double-stranded RNA signaling, gastric cancer. Visit The Saenz Lab Site |
| Siyan “Stewart” Cao, MD, PhD | Cellular stress response in innate lymphoid cells in inflammatory bowel disease; single-cell analyses of IBD subtypes and complications including Crohn’s disease of the pouch and perianal fistulizing Crohn’s disease; identification of therapeutic markers for IBD biologics (e.g., anti-IL-23 therapies). |
| ZeNan Chang, MD, PhD | |
| Jeffrey W Brown, MD, PhD | Studying the cellular processes involved in normal tissue transitioning to metaplasia and cancer with specific interest on the role glycosylation epitopes and lectins play in these processes. My lab primarily focuses on foregut metaplasia: Barrett’s esophagus, intestinal metaplasia of the stomach; pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia. |