Basic Science Research

Mission

The overall mission of Basic Science Research of the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology is to conduct cutting-edge, original investigations in scientific fields related to the physiology or pathophysiology of the digestive system including the gastrointestinal tract, liver and pancreas, and to apply the knowledge derived from the research to improve the care of patients with diseases of the digestive system.

Overview

Basic Science research is a major component of the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. Staffed by 12 independently funded faculty investigators, the majority of whom are physician scientists, basic science represents a wide collection of active research programs in gastroenterology and liver diseases. Initially established with the generous contribution of Mr. Harvey Meyerhoff and Mrs. Lynn Meyerhoff, the majority of current research funding in basic science comes from investigator- initiated independent grant support from the National Institutes of Heath (NIH). Funding is also provided by major national organizations such as the American Gastroenterology Association, American Liver Foundation, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America, and a variety of private sources including major pharmaceutical firms. Examples of ongoing research projects include: physiology and molecular biology of the intestinal epithelial cells, the genetics of inflammatory bowel diseases, the molecular mechanisms of neoplasia of the GI tract and liver including colorectal cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma, regulation of liver regeneration, mechanisms of hepatic fibrosis, nutritional regulation of obesity, and physiology of alcohol metabolism.

An in-depth description of the Basic Science Research programs in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology can best be accomplished by dividing the program into three major components: The Hopkins Center for Epithelial Disorders, NIH supported training grants in digestive diseases and alcohol research, and individual investigators’ research projects. Although largely staffed by faculty members of the GI Division, the first two components include prominent investigators from other departments of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine whose research interests intercept with those of the division. Examples of faculty participants or preceptors from outside the GI Division include Drs. Ann Hubbard (Cell Biology and Anatomy), Peter Agre (Biological Chemistry) and Gary Wand (Endocrinology).

Click here to learn more about our Training Grants

Click here to learn more about our Center for Epithelial Disorders


	Ongoing Research

From the Laboratory of Steve Brant, MD
	IBD Genetic Research at Johns Hopkins
From the Laboratory of Shukti Chakravarti, PhD
	IBD Research
From the Laboratory of Mark F. Donowitz, MD
	Neutral NaCl Absorption
From the Laboratory of Sandra Guggino, PhD
	Study of The Physiology and Pathophysiology of Ion Channels In Non-Excitable Cells
From the Laboratory of Michael Goggins, MD
	Translational Research in Pancreatic Cancer
	Selected Bibliography
From the Laboratory of Esteban Mezey, MD and James J. Potter, BS
	Hormonal Regulation of Liver Alcohol Dehydrogenase and Ethanol Metabolism
	Studies of Mechanisms Whereby Alcohol Consumption Leads to Fibrogenesis and Cirrhosis
From the Laboratory of Cynthia Sears, MD
	Molecular Pathogenesis of Enterotoxigenic Bacteroides Fragilis Disease
	Epidemiology of Cryptosporidium Parvum Infections in Young Children and AIDS Patients
From the Laboratory of Chung-Ming Tse, PhD
	Physiology and Regulation of Na /H Exchanger Isoform-2
	Nucleoside Transporters: Physiology, Pharmacology and Molecular Biology
From the Laboratory of Xuhang Li, Ph.D.
	Basic and Translational Research in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and Autoimmune Liver Diseases
	Molecular Regulation and Physiological/Pathophysiological Role of Na /H Exchanger 3 (NHE3)
From the Laboratory of Stephen Meltzer, MD
	GI Biomarkers Laboratory
From the Laboratory of Zhiping Li, M.D.
	Nutrition, Gut Bacteria and Fatty Liver Disease