Research Areas

Research into the Care of Children and Adolescents with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

The Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital is engaged in clinical research to improve the outcomes of children and adolescents with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. The core of this research is to develop a more personalized, targeted approach to the care of these patients. Additionally, the team is involved in multi-institutional interventional trials investigating new IBD therapeutics.

Understanding the Epidemiology and Outcomes of Gastrointestinal, Hepatic, and Nutritional Disorders

By extracting information from large multicenter medical administrative and local single institutional databases, the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition contributed to understanding the disease epidemiology, outcomes, and resource utilization of pediatric gastrointestinal disorders. Our expertise in this type of research has led to publications demonstrating, among others, the adverse effect of nutritional status on hospitalization outcomes and the hospitalization rates and resource utilization of patients with IBD, acute pancreatitis, and abdominal pain.

Translational Research into the use of Traditional Chinese Medicines for Gastrointestinal Disorders

Complementary and alternative medicine is being utilized with increasing frequency by patients of all ages with different diseases. We are investigating traditional Chinese medications for the treatment of colon cancer and colonic inflammation. Through collaborative work with colleagues, this laboratory-based research has defined the biologic activity of several compounds and formulations. This work will lead to the safe and perhaps effective utilization of these therapies.

Identification of Novel Genes in Intestinal Inflammation and Cancer

Currently, more than 100 genes have been discovered for IBD. Research has shown that specific treatments and therapies are more effective if used when different genes are present. We use this knowledge to target the disease with treatments and therapies tailored to each patient’s individual needs.