Lay Summary

Proposal No. IBD-0051R2
Principal Investigator:  Shukti Chakravarti, Ph.D.
Applicant Organization:  Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A.)
Project Title:  Molecular classification of Crohn’s disease subtypes by gene expression profiling
Period of Award:  July 1, 2003 – February 28, 2005

We will study the molecular characterization of ileocolonic and colon-only Crohn's disease.  Biopsy samples are routinely taken from individuals for evaluation of disease by histology.  These biopsies can be a tremendous source of information that is not completely tapped at the current time.  By microarray gene expression profiling, we aim to identify all the genes that are regulated differently in different locations of Crohn’s disease, establish signature gene expression patterns for two groups of Crohn's disease and get a closer view of the disease process.  This study will form the basis for future development of specific biomarker proteins in biopsies or blood samples for diagnosis, prediction of disease outcome and response to therapy.