Research Summary
Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory condition of the gut that affects more than 150,000 Canadians, often causing pain, diarrhea and fatigue. There is no cure, and complications can require surgery. Dr. Dana Philpott, Canada Research Chair in Microbe-Host Interactions in Intestinal Homeostasis, is studying how the gut’s microbes interact with genetic changes—particularly in a gene called NOD2—to influence disease development.
Philpott’s earlier work uncovered how disruptions in this relationship weaken the gut’s protective barrier, leading to inflammation. Now, she and her research team are exploring three challenges: why some patients develop intestinal scarring (fibrosis), how inflammation from Crohn’s disease may increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, and how the disease is linked to colorectal cancer. By studying the underlying mechanisms, they aim to identify new biomarkers and treatment strategies, offering hope for better prevention and care.