Inflammatory bowel diseases
IBD pathogenesis, personalized medicine, colitis-associated colorectal carcinoma
Research aim
Our research is focused on the elucidation of the pathogenesis of Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), personalized medicine and on a severe complication of IBD: colitis-associated colorectal carcinoma.
About us
Colitis-associated Carcinoma:
Our central aims are to better understand the inflammation-dysplasia sequence in IBD and to design a prediction rule that incorporates new biomarkers, enabling better stratification of patients for surveillance. To this end, we collaborate with Yvonne Vercoulens’ (IMC)lab, the van Wijk lab and a large number of international centers.
IBD: pathogenesis and precision medicine
Together with van Wijk’s lab, we explore the incompletely understood modes of action of a range of recently registered drugs to identify biomarkers, predicting response (precision medicine). We expect that these studies will shed light on pivotal disease-driving pathways as well. In collaboration with dr. Marcel de Zoete and dr. Karin Strijbis, we study the interaction of the gut microbiome and the intestinal immune system. Several IBD biobanks in our institution, including the unique Utrecht IBD TWIN study, will enable the generation of a wealth of data on the prediagnostic phase of IBD. The overarching goal of this reseach field is to advance knowledge of the pathophysiology of IBD, specifically aimed at the mucosal immune system and the gut microbiome.