Finding Causes and Triggers

Past Grant Recipients 2014 - 2015

Finding Causes and Triggers

Crohn's and Colitis Canada's promise is to discover cures for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, which is why we have always supported research projects that investigate the causes and triggers of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Below you'll learn about the completed research projects that we have funded which focused on establishing an understanding of how and why Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis develops in the human body.

2015 Grant Recipients

Dr. Alan Lomax | Queen's University
Research: Nervous System
Date: 2015-2018
Amount: $375,000

Dr. Lomax will examine how IBD affects the nervous system by studying how the bacteria in the gut and chemicals released during inflammation can impact gut neurons and ultimately devise new ways to block the neuronal changes that contribute to pain and diarrhea.
 

Dr. Stephen Girardin | University of Toronto
Co-investigators: Dr. Katrina Gee, Dr. David Reed, and Dr. Alan Lomax
Research: NOD2 Genetic mutation in IBD
Date: 2015-2018
Amount: $375,000

Dr. Girardin will study the impact of the most common genetic mutation in IBD, NOD2, on the function of the small intestine, using a unique animal model and also organoids (“mini-guts” derived from human gut cells).   

2014 Grant Recipients

Dr. Andre Buret | University of Calgary
Co-investigators: Dr. Hans Vogel, Dr. Joe Harrison, and Dr. Paul Beck
Amount: $371,460
Date: 2014-2017

How microbiota biofilms cause post-infectious flare-ups in IBD.

 

Dr. Kris Chadee | University of Calgary
Amount: $371,460
Date: 2014-2017

How mucin prevents gut microbes and toxins from directly interacting with the underlying gut epithelium.

 

Dr. Simon Hirota | University of Calgary
Co-investigator: Dr. Thomas Chang
Amount: $370,930
Date: 2014-2017

How PXR keeps the inner lining of the gut tight and protects against the damaging effects of inflammation.

 

Dr. Brian Coombes | McMaster University
Amount: $220,110
Date: 2014-2017

How E. coli infection is linked to post-infectious IBS and IBD.

 

Dr. Stephen Girardin | University of Toronto
Co-investigator: Dr. David Prescott
Amount: $50,000
Date: 2014-2015

Targeted genome editing in human intestinal epithelial cells.

 

Dr. Mark Lathrop | McGill Universityy
Co-investigator: Dr. Tomi Pastinen
Amount: $371,460
Date: 2014-2017

Use high-tech sequencing platform to uncover new types of high-risk genetic risk factors in IBD.

 

Dr. Aleixo Muise | The Hospital for Sick Children
Co-investigator: Dr. Daniella Rotin
Amount: $371,460
Date: 2014-2017

How certain genes help control the leakiness of the bowel in IBD.