Finding Causes and Triggers
A common question asked by patients and their caregivers is "What causes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis?" Unfortunately, the causes and triggers of these chronic diseases remain unknown.
With the support of grants from Crohn's and Colitis Canada, the researchers noted below are moving us closer to discovering the factors that lead to the onset of these diseases by researching environmental triggers, genetic markers, and more.
2024 Grant Recipient
Dr. Kathy McCoy | University of Calgary
Research: Developing gut microorganism-based precision therapies
Date: 2024-2028
Amount: $375,000
This project aims to identify specific bacteria responsible for triggering inflammation in people with Crohn’s and colitis. The first step is to collect gut bacteria samples from patients who responded well to interventions, before and after treatment. These pre- and post-treatment bacteria samples will be transplanted into mice. The goal is to separate the effect of gut bacteria from other factors, e.g. diet, lifestyle, genetics. Previous studies by this laboratory identified two potential inflammation causing bacteria, and the current goal is to discover more, and related mechanisms. The hope is to discover more targeted treatments.
Past recipients
To learn about the 2023 completed research projects, click here.
To learn about the 2022 completed research projects, click here.
To learn about the 2021 completed research projects, click here.
To learn about the 2020 completed research projects, click here.
To learn about the 2019 completed research projects, click here.
To learn about the 2018 completed research projects, click here.
To learn about the 2017 completed research projects, click here.
To learn about the 2016 completed research projects, click here.
To learn about the 2015 and 2014 completed research projects, click here.