Gastroenterology Research

Research Initiatives in Gastroenterology

The BIDMC Division of Gastroenterology and the Digestive Disease Center are nationally recognized for contributions to the future of digestive disease. Our investigators and their teams are engaged in a variety of research, including inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatic cancer therapies, diverticulitis abscess disease, and biological and probiotic therapies. Our gastroenterologists work closely with colleagues in surgery and radiology, leading national and international trials to improve patient care.

Gastroenterology Laboratories

BIDMC’s gastrointestinal research teams cover a breadth of basic, translational and clinical areas, including inflammatory bowel disease and pancreatic cancer therapies, as well as the management of diverticulitis abscess disease and fine-tuning biological and probiotic therapies. Our labs include:

• Cheifetz Lab: Led by Adam Cheifetz, MD, this lab is involved in multiple research projects relating to Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).
• Curry Lab: Led by Michael Curry, MD, this lab studies complications of liver disease including decompensated liver cirrhosis, hepatorenal syndrome and in HCV cirrhosis.
• Jiang Lab: Led by Zhenghui Jiang, MD, the Jiang Lab is interested in the pathophysiology of fatty liver diseases, including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and alcoholic hepatitis.
• Kelly Lab: Led by Ciarán Kelly, MD, the research program studies the pathogenesis of celiac disease, its diagnosis and new approaches to treatment.
• Kokkotou Lab: Led by Efi Kokkotou, MD, PhD, DSc, this lab is involved in research on the role of neuropeptides in mediating bidirectional communications between the brain and peripheral tissues, with emphasis on the gut and the adipose tissue.
• Popov Lab: Led by Yury Popov, MD, PhD, this lab’s major research focus is liver fibrosis/cirrhosis.
• Robson Lab: Led by Simon Robson, MB, ChB, FRCP, PhD, this lab studies the functional roles of purinergic signaling in inflammatory diseases.
• Szabo Lab: Led by Gyongyi Szabo, MD, PhD, the focus of this lab is to discover and target key molecular and cellular mechanisms that contribute to liver inflammation and liver damage.