The research emphasis of the Gastrointestinal Mucosa and Immunology Program focuses on intestinal immunity and inflammation. Areas of interest include ontogeny and differentiation of gut-associated lymphoid tissue; migratory pathways of intestinal lymphoid cells; humoral antibody responses; cell-mediated cytotoxic reactions and the role of cytotoxic effector cells in chronic intestinal inflammation; genetic control of the immune response at the mucosal surface; immune response to enteric antigens in both intestinal and extra-intestinal sites; granulomatous inflammation; lymphokines and cellular immune regulation; leukotriene/prostaglandin effects on intestinal immune responses; T-cell mediated intestinal cell injury; the intestinal mast cell and its role in intestinal inflammation; approaches to optimal mucosal immunoprophylaxis, including viral, bacterial, and parasitic diseases; diseases such as gluten sensitive enteropathy, inflammatory bowel disease, and gastritis; malabsorption syndromes; diarrhea; gastric and duodenal ulcers; disease of the salivary glands (excluding cystic fibrosis); the effects of prostaglandins and other treatment modalities on the gastrointestinal tract; and the possible role of prostaglandins or other agents in the pathogenesis and treatment of digestive diseases.
For more information, contact: Dr. Frank Hamilton, Gastrointestinal Mucosa and Immunology Program Director.