Episodes of incapacitating pain, bleeding, weight loss, and occasional hospitalization demanding surgery – this is the reality for approximately three million Europeans grappling with inflammatory bowel disease. Typically, treatments incorporate immunosuppressants like steroid drugs. However, even well-managed cases experience intermittent flare-ups, and identifying the underlying causes has remained a challenge. Thus, we are in grave need for new therapies.
Impact
We are developing stem cell-based therapies that will help restore organ function in patients suffering from inflammatory bowel diseases. For this, we need to understand what goes awry with the organ’s resident capacity to heal itself and what we can do to boost it.
reNEW research
We are investigating the natural replenishment of the intestine, as well as its response to disease. We leverage techniques for cultivating stem cells in the laboratory for disease modelling and drug screening.
Image description
Intestinal crypt – the structure that contains secrets of stem cells and differentiated cells.
Credits
Martti Maimets, Jensen lab, reNEW Copenhagen.
