Dr. Elena Verdú, MD, PhD, is exploring the community of microbes in our gut, specifically which microbes are present and the mechanisms that keep them healthy – or cause disease. She is the Director, Farncombe Family Digestive Health Research Institute and Professor at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. She has received five grants from Crohn’s and Colitis Canada since 2001.
Dr. Roshane Francis, PhD, Manager, Research Grants, Impact Communication and Evaluation, Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, interviewed Dr. Verdú to discuss her research and the pivotal contribution of Crohn’s and Colitis Canada’s funding.
Roshane: Tell us about the community of microbes in our gut and its role in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)?
- Elena: The community of microbes in our gut usually works to maintain our health. The microbes help with digestion, protect against harmful bacteria, and support our immune system. However, in IBD – of which Crohn’s and colitis are the two most common types – this balance is disrupted. My current research, funded by Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, explores how these microbes produce enzymes that break down proteins which in turn contributes to inflammation. During inflammation, these enzymes can start breaking down parts of our gut lining, which worsens colitis. By studying these changes, we aim to identify potential indicators and targets for new treatments.
Roshane: Understanding newly discovered mechanisms is crucial for developing treatments. Can you explain how your research translates into therapies?
- Elena: The goal of this research is to uncover mechanisms and build a foundation for future treatments. For instance, by identifying how an imbalance in the breakdown of proteins in the gut contributes to colitis, we can develop new diagnostic tools and therapies tailored to each patient’s needs. It’s a gradual process, where initial findings lead to improved patient care over time.
Roshane: After uncovering this protein breakdown mechanism, you wanted to study it in human samples. Tell us about how you partnered with another study to do that and what you discovered?
- Elena: We partnered with the Genetic, Environmental, Microbial (GEM) study which was initiated by Crohn’s and Colitis Canada. It collected stool samples from 5,000 direct family members of people living with Crohn’s. A number of those family members went on to develop Crohn’s. Others developed colitis. What we found was that those who developed colitis had higher protein breakdown activity in their samples before diagnosis. This suggests that a protein breakdown imbalance could be an early indicator of colitis.
Roshane: That’s a significant finding. How do you foresee using these insights to improve patient care?
- Elena: The hope is that by understanding these early measurable indicators, we can develop non-invasive diagnostic tests for colitis and personalize treatment plans based on individual protein breakdown profiles. It’s all about improving early detection and tailoring treatments to address the disease’s root causes.
Roshane: What are some future directions for your research, and how do you see Crohn’s and Colitis Canada support playing a role?
- Elena: We’re exploring new avenues for treatments like using specific gut viruses that kill bacteria. Diet is another area of research. Crohn's and Colitis Canada’s funding has been crucial in supporting these projects to date. We look forward to continuing to work together and ultimately, helping those living with colitis.