Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Researchers at TRI are studying the disease processes behind Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
UQ Professor Mark Morrison is Chair in Microbial Genomics and Metagenomics at the UQ Diamantina Institute, based at TRI. He is currently investigating the causes of Crohn's disease as part of the Eastern Inflammatory Bowel Disease Gut Microbiota (ENIGMA) project. This project examines how interactions between ethnicity, geography, diet, and the gut microbiome are involved in Crohn's diseae in both Asian and western populations. Read more.
UQ Professor Gerald Holtmann is an academic gastroenterologist who is working to further develop translational and basic research to improve diagnosis and treatment of patients with gastrointestinal disorders. In addition to his long-standing expertise in functional gastrointestinal disorders, he has also contributed to research with Professor Mark Morrison on bacterial overgrowth in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Read more.
Mater-UQ's Dr Jakob Begun is a gastroenterologist and researcher who leads the Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Research Group at Mater Research. Their research focusses on the pathogenesis and treatment of IBD, mucosal immunology and the microbiome. Jake is heavily involved in clinical research and collaborating with clinicians from Mater and other hospitals to look at improving care in IBD patients, particularly in young adolescents and young adults who generally have a high burden of disease and associated conditions including anxiety and depression. Read more.
Mater-UQ Professor Michael McGuckin’s investigations into the underlying disease process in Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis is pointing to new approaches to treating these diseases which are being tested in preclinical models in collaborations with major pharmaceutical companies. Read more.