Integrated Epithelial and Mucosal Biology

 总体中心的描述（由申请人提供）：哈佛消化疾病中心（HDDC）是一个由61名独立研究人员组成的社区，每年的研究经费超过3400万美元（28% NIDDK），还有21名准成员，他们都在进行与消化疾病直接相关的研究。HDDC成员的研究涉及正常消化道功能和消化道疾病发病机制的基本机制，重点关注4个主题：上皮细胞，发育和干细胞生物学;先天和适应性粘液免疫学;肠道感染和微生物组;肝细胞生理学和代谢。这些研究领域涉及肠道和炎症性肠病的基础;肠道感染;肠道微生物组对肠道和全身生理学和代谢的影响;以及肠道和肝脏的再生医学。成员的资源和技术能力通过3个生物医学核心的服务，设备和培训得到放大，这些核心提供（B）高分辨率显微镜和组织病理学，（C）上皮细胞培养和粘膜细胞分析，以及（D）gnotobiotic小鼠，微生物和代谢分析。HDDC临床部分通过HDDC补贴的生物统计和生物储存库服务支持临床和转化GI研究。该中心通过按主题组织的丰富计划促进科学合作，包括年度研讨会，两年一度的区域会议“粘液免疫学前沿”，研讨会和研讨会，重点是年轻的研究人员。HDDC还通过一项竞争性的试点可行性资助计划促进对年轻科学家的培训，该计划在过去8年中支持了45名受训人员，其中除一人外，其余所有人仍活跃在消化系统疾病相关研究中。 中心主任韦恩Lencer（PI）和副主任理查德布隆伯格（共同PI）是儿科和成人GI在两个主要的哈佛教学医院的部门负责人，并在胃肠病学NIH资助的培训计划的领导人。他们由包括所有核心董事和主题领导人的执行委员会协助，并由GI相关研究领导人的外部咨询委员会指导。HDDC的首要使命是通过连接人们，创造机会和扩展资源来促进和扩大消化系统疾病的基础和转化科学。

 DESCRIPTION OF OVERALL CENTER (provided by applicant): The Harvard Digestive Disease Center (HDDC) is a community of 61 independent investigators with over $34M (28% NIDDK) annual research funding and 21 Associate Members, all conducting research directly related to digestive diseases. HDDC members' research addresses the fundamental mechanisms that underlie normal digestive tract function and the pathogenesis of digestive disease, focusing on 4 Themes: Epithelial Cell, Developmental, and Stem Cell Biology; Innate and Adaptive Mucosal Immunology; Gut Infections and Microbiome; and Hepatic Cell Physiology and Metabolism. These research areas address the basis for intestinal and inflammatory bowel diseases; gut infections; effects of the gut microbiome on intestinal and systemic physiology and metabolism; and regenerative medicine of the intestine and liver. Members' resources and technical capabilities are amplified through services, equipment and training in 3 Biomedical Cores that provide (B) high-resolution microscopy & histopathology, (C) epithelial cell culture & mucosal cell analysis, and (D) gnotobiotic mice, microbiological and metabolic analyses. The HDDC Clinical Component supports clinical and translational GI research through HDDC-subsidized biostatistical and bio-repository services. The Center fosters scientific collaborations through an Enrichment Program organized by Themes, including an annual symposium, a biennial regional conference "Frontiers in Mucosal Immunology", seminars, and workshops focused on young investigators. The HDDC also promotes training of young scientists through a competitive Pilot- Feasibility Grant Program that has supported 45 trainees in the past 8 years, with all but one still active in digestive diseases-related research. Center Directors Wayne Lencer (PI) and Associate Director Richard Blumberg (Co-PI) are Division Chiefs of Pediatric and Adult GI at two major Harvard teaching hospitals, and leaders of NIH-funded training programs in Gastroenterology. They are assisted by an Executive Committee that includes all Core Directors and Theme Leaders, and guided by an External Advisory Board of leaders in GI-related research. The HDDC's overarching mission is to foster and expand basic and translational science in digestive diseases by connecting people, creating opportunity, and extending resources.