Gut Program

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder primarily affecting the gastrointestinal tract and is believed to be caused by dysregulated immune responses to bacteria in genetically predisposed individuals.

The research focus of the Barrett Laboratory, also known as the Gut Program, is to learn about how the intestinal epithelium functions in healthy individuals and those suffering from both IBD and very early-onset IBD.

To achieve this, we generate 3-D human intestinal organoids, derived from either induced pluripotent stem cells or intestinal biopsy samples, from both patients and control individuals. These organoids are used to assess how inflammatory cytokines, microbes and an individual’s genetics, can all influence the functioning of the intestinal epithelium. In some instances, these organoids are incorporated in small microengineered chips to facilitate such studies and include the image attached. Please include a caption under the image stating, "Phase contrast image showing three-dimensional human intestinal organoid derived from induced pluripotent stem cells."