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CCFA, AGA, Janssen Launch new Program for Epigenetic IBD Research
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The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America has partnered with the American Gastroenterological Association Institute and Janssen Biotech to launch a grant program promoting epigenetic research in inflammatory bowel disease, according to a press release.
“Epigenetic research could be an important part of approaches to understanding the complex interactions between genetic and environmental factors — for example, diet, bacteria, or medications — affecting the development and course of IBD,” Caren A. Heller, MD, MBA, CCFA’s chief scientific officer, said in the release. “This focus of research is a natural fit with CCFA’s ongoing Genetics and Microbiome Initiatives, which are ultimately aimed at developing individualized treatment approaches for patients with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.”
Caren A. Heller
The program will provide a 3-year grant of $100,000 per year to a junior investigator exploring the role of interrelated genetic and environmental factors involved in the development and treatment of IBD. The recipient will be selected by an independent panel of recognized IBD experts who are members of the AGA and CCFA, and applicants who have completed a gastroenterology training program or received a PhD within the past 7 years and currently hold a faculty position at a North American university are eligible, the release said.
“This line of research promises not just scientific knowledge but could lead to treatments to improve the lives of patients with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis,” Martin Brotman, MD, AGAF, chair of the AGA Research Foundation, said in the release. “We’re thrilled to partner with CCFA and Janssen to support young researchers to advance our knowledge in this important new avenue of research.”
The deadline to apply is March 15 and the award recipient will be announced by June 15, the release said.