Genetic causes of inflammatory bowel disease
Identification and characterization of inflammatory bowel disease causal variants
This project looks for DNA differences across diverse populations that lead to inflammatory bowel disease, especially in teens and young adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11126601 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will analyze genetic data from a large, multi-ancestry group of people with IBD to pinpoint the specific DNA changes linked to the disease. They will apply fine-mapping methods to resolve linked regions that earlier studies could not separate, with attention to non-European ancestry groups such as individuals of African descent. Laboratory tests, including CRISPR activation in gut-relevant cells, will be used to see how candidate variants change gene activity in tissues involved in IBD. The combined genetic and functional work aims to explain biological mechanisms and why IBD risk differs across populations and ages.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis), particularly adolescents/young adults and individuals from non-European ancestry groups, would be most relevant to this work.
Not a fit: Patients without IBD or those seeking an immediate new treatment are unlikely to receive direct clinical benefit from this genetics-focused research right away.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify new biological targets and explain ancestry-related differences that help guide future treatments for IBD.
How similar studies have performed: Earlier genome-wide studies have found many IBD-associated regions and a few single causal variants, but combining multi-ancestry fine-mapping with functional lab validation is a newer and less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Huang, Hailiang — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Huang, Hailiang
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.