The Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology has a wide range of active ongoing research on gastrointestinal and hepatic conditions and disorders. This research includes basic science research, translational research, clinical research studies and clinical trials. Research is a core component of the division’s mission and is focused on the areas of gastrointestinal inflammation, infections and its immune system, the gut microbiome and fecal transplantation, inflammatory bowel disease, hepatitis B and C, Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) (formerly known as fatty liver disease), liver and GI cancer treatment and prevention (including cancer genetics), advanced endoscopic procedures, pancreatic and bile duct lesions, obesity, HIV-related GI and liver diseases, as well as other gastrointestinal diseases and conditions. Numerous studies and clinical trials are underway to understand the mechanisms of these diseases and how to best prevent and treat them.
The division has a long history of clinical research in the causes, prevention, and treatment of patients with liver disease and hepatitis and is recognized as one of the leaders in the field. The Center for Liver Disease at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital is the largest liver transplantation program in the region and has a significant clinical research program in a wide variety of liver diseases. The division, together with Rockefeller University and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, established The Center for the Study of Hepatitis C--the only comprehensive, multidisciplinary center dedicated to the study of hepatitis C and hepatic disease in the tri-state area. In addition, the division maintains a biobank for the collection and maintenance of tissue samples, used for basic science and clinical research. Other research is focused on MASLD and its link to cancer as we seek to develop state-of-the-art systems that will provide basic understanding of liver damage and scarring, which can lead to cirrhosis.
Research performed by the Jay Monahan Center for Gastrointestinal Health and its collaborators is broadly focused on a multidisciplinary approach to GI cancers. Translational and clinical research includes clinicians and scientists with areas of specialization in genetics, gastroenterology and surgery. Many of our division investigators have a special interest in the causes and prevention of colorectal and other GI cancers. Projects are focused on the identification and assessment of risk factors, including determining novel genetic markers for colorectal cancer, and studies to assess if patients with a hereditary susceptibility to colorectal cancer might be able to reduce their risk by taking statins (drugs often prescribed to lower cholesterol). Laboratory studies are also being performed regarding the connection between chronic inflammation and cancer.
The Adult and Cancer Genetics program, directed by Dr. Steven M. Lipkin, is leading the field of adult genetics and cancer genetics. Dr. Lipkin also serves as Vice Chair for Basic and Translational Research, which focuses on genetic testing for hereditary cancer disorders, including Lynch syndrome, familial adenomatous polyposis, hereditary pancreatic cancer, and inflammatory bowel disease. The group places particular emphasis on hereditary gastrointestinal cancer syndromes and is also working on determining optimal screening programs, as well as chemoprevention and tumor vaccines for Lynch syndrome.
