Grant: CAG/CCFC/CIHR Summer Studentship for Research in Gastroenterology

Inflammation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is a major cause of disease and death in Canada and the world. There are presently over 200,000 Canadians suffering from a form of inflammatory bowl disease (IBD). In addition, on average, 413 Canadians will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer every week and 171 will die from the disease weekly, the second-leading cause of cancer death in Canada. In the developing world, gut infections such as cholera, amoebic dysentery and parasitic helminthes are the leading causes of disease and death. Given these statistics, there is an impetus for researchers to focus their efforts towards identifying new treatments and methods to treat inflammatory disorders of the gut while understanding how to promote effective immune responses. Retinoic Acid (RA) is a molecule that is synthesized from Vitamin A in the gut. This study will examine the role of RA in regulation of immunity and inflammation. The aims of this study will be to determine which cells are responsible for the synthesis of RA and to determine how other cells respond to RA. Identifying the factors that regulate the cells and molecules associated with inflammation in the gut will lead to better diagnosis and treatment of intestinal inflammation and may be useful commercially for detection, monitoring, or screening of IBDs. In addition, by identifying the mechanisms required for optimal immunity to infection, the development and optimization of vaccines against deadly intestinal diseases will not only benefit developing nations but will also highlight Canada¿s important role in global public health initiatives.