Past Grant Recipients 2022

Discovering Novel Treatments

Once a patient receives the diagnosis of Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, they face the decision of choosing a course of treatment. With science rapidly advancing every day, Canadian researchers remain driven to discover novel forms of treatment.

With the support of grants from Crohn's and Colitis Canada, the researchers noted below are working on research projects that focus on discovering innovative forms of treatment for patients living with Crohn's or colitis.

2022 Grant Recipients


Dr. Fernand-Pierre Gendron
Dr. Fernand-Pierre Gendron | Université de Sherbrooke
Research: Understanding how proteins protect the gut from harmful bacteria
Date: 2022-2025
Amount: $375,000
The human gut contains a protein receptor called LGR5. LGR5 supports the healing and renewal of the gut lining after resurgence of disease in IBD patients. Despite it’s significant benefits, there have only been a handful of studies exploring the mechanism of LGR5. Recent studies have found that manipulation of the LGR5 may lead to novel treatments for IBD.
Dr. Gendron’s team aim to prove their hypotheses that the human gut contains new LGR5 which can be altered and lead to remission of IBD.
 
Dr. Stephen Girardin
Dr. Stephen Girardin | University of Toronto
Research: Unravelling the link between Crohn’s Disease and Type-2 Diabetes
Date: 2022-2025
Amount: $3750,000
One of the main causes of Crohn’s Disease is poor control of microbes in the intestinal lining. Previous research has shown that the lack of a genetic factor that allows the body’s cells to detect molecules produced by bacteria can increase the risk of Crohn’s Disease.
Dr. Girardin and his team aim to better understand how the intestinal lining senses and controls microbes. Specifically, they will be studying at the role of two proteins in the intestinal lining that are responsible for protecting the intestine from harmful bacteria. The outcome of this study would help in designing novel strategies against Crohn’s Disease.

Past recipients 

To learn about the 2021 research projects we supported, click here.
To learn about the 2020 research projects we supported, click here.
To learn about the 2019 research projects we supported, click here.
To learn about the 2015-2018 research projects we supported, click here.
To learn about the 2014 research projects we supported, click here.

  • Canada has among the highest incidence rates of Crohn's and colitis in the world.
  • 1 in 140 Canadians lives with Crohn’s or colitis.
  • Families new to Canada are developing these diseases for the first time.
  • Incidence of Crohn’s in Canadian kids under 10 has doubled since 1995.
  • People are most commonly diagnosed before age 30.

Other Areas of Interest