The Chancellor, Masters and Scholars of the University of Cambridge

Date of Award

11.08.2022

Program

Disease Biology

Amount

$2,142,788.00

Term of Grant

36 months

Project Title

Epigenetic regulation of intestinal epithelial MHC class 1 signalling - a novel mechanism in the pathogenesis of Crohn's Disease

Project Description

Known genetic risk loci are estimated to only account for 13% of CD cases, suggesting that other modifiers of gene expression like epigenetic modifications may also contribute to disease. This project aims to identify DNA methylation patterns that stratify pediatric Crohn's disease patients and predict disease severity. Follow-up mechanistic studies based on transcriptomics will determine how altered DNA methylation leads to mucosal inflammation and may uncover new therapeutic inroads.