Research

Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology:
RESEARCH

With expertise at the molecular, cellular, animal model and human tissue biopsy level, division faculty are able to investigate a broad range of basic science questions raised by gastrointestinal tract diseases. In FY 2014, the division had 16 ongoing and four new clinical trials; faculty research yielded 46 peer-reviewed publications and 10 book chapters.

Stephen Caldwell is the principle investigator for three ongoing studies of anti-LOXL for the treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) cirrhosis/fibrosis and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC)—c common conditions with no effective treatment options currently available once fibrosis has developed. The ambitious goals of the study are to blunt, and possibly reverse, liver scarring and potentially impact the development of advanced portal hypertension. Another study aimed at a milder form of NASH, using a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) alpha and delta agonist, is also underway. The treatment trials are funded through research agreements with biotechnology development companies Gilead Sciences, Inc., and Genfit Corp.

NIH-sponsored research and training grants include:

• K01-NIDDK Mentored Research Scientist Development Award (John Fu); 5T32DK007769-15, Research Training in Digestive Disease (Steven Cohn); NIH/NIDDK Loan Repayment Program (Nicolas Intagliata)

Foundation grants include:

• Broad Medical Research Foundation “RELM beta in the pathogenesis of IBD” (Co-PIs: Cohn and Behm)
• American College of Gastroenterology Junior Faculty Development Award (Curtis Argo)
• UVA Buchanan Endowment Award for Fecal Microbiota Transplant Program (PI: Hays)