Dr. Lomax Queen’s University Investment in 2011/12: $72,535
Dr. Madsen
University of Alberta Investment in 2011/12: $69,406
Dr. Gendron
University of Sherbrooke Investment in 2011/12: $74,970
Dr. McKay
University of Calgary Investment in 2011/12: $71,006
Dr. Croitoru University of Toronto Investment in 2011/12: $74,896
Dr. Kubes
University of Calgary Investment in 2011/12: $125,000
Dr. Philpott University of Toronto Investment in 2011/12: $125,000
Dr. Sarfati Centre du Recherche Investment in 2011/12: $18,286
Dr. Lomax is studying how a particular branch of the nervous system can regulate the immune system and change the severity of inflammation. This work will determine whether targeting the nervous system is a viable treatment option for IBD.
Dr. Madsen is examining how patients with IBD respond to different types of bacterial DNA, in order to understand how and why gut cells of patients with IBD do not respond the same way that healthy individuals do. This work may lead to new bacterial DNA therapies that treat active inflammation.
Dr. Gendron is investigating a receptor that plays an important role in inflammation and influences the outcomes of IBD. Dr. Gendron is developing new molecules which regulate this receptor by reducing inflammation and by stimulating wound healing and IBD remission. This work could lead to new drug candidates to treat IBD.
Dr. McKay is seeking to enhance one’s own natural immune defenses to block disease rather than intervene with drugs. Dr. McKay is investigating whether alternatively activated macrophages (AAM) could stop inflammation in the intestine and be developed as a novel therapy for IBD.
Dr. Croitoru is studying how the immune cells of the gut interact with bacteria and defining how bacteria may trigger or prevent colitis. Understanding how these molecules control regulatory T cells may lead to new treatments that change the inflammation permanently.
The gut uses specific proteins to sense bacteria, including molecules called Toll-like receptors (or TLRs). Dr. Kubes is focusing on how bacterial signals trigger IBD in order to design new therapies that take advantage of our natural anti-inflammatory powers to promote intestinal healing in IBD patients.
People with CD, who have mutations in a bacterial-sensing protein, called Nod2, have a hyper-reactive immune response. Dr. Philpott is investigating how Nod proteins control inflammation in order to discover new treatments for IBD.
Dendritic cells (DCs) recognize harmful and harmless external threats. When not regulated properly, DCs may misinterpret a harmless encounter and start an immune response, leading to chronic intestinal inflammation. Dr. Sarfati is studying DCs in human intestinal tissue of CD and healthy patients. This may lead to new therapies for IBD patients.
15 | RESEARCH REPORT 2012
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