Physicians are active in both basic and clinical research. We currently hold four major research grants (1 from CIHR, 2 from CCFC, 1 from NSERC as well as establishment money from the Michael Smith Foundation, as well as the Canadian Foundation for Innovation and the Canada Research Chairs Program. We also have industry grants for a total of about 650,000.
There were at least 23 invited presentations.
In 2000, Dr. Allan Walker, Head of the Combined Program for Gastroenterology and Nutrition at Boston Children's Hospital, Massachusetts, visited B.C.'s Children's Hospital. He reviewed the gastrointestinal-related research already in place and the potential for collaboration in the future. Following his visit, Dr. Walker summarised his findings in a report, outlining potential research directions for the Division. Following Dr. Walker's advice, the Division adopted mucosal immunity as the major direction in which to develop a strong basic science program that would integrate with the clinical strength and interests that already exist within the Division.
In 2002, an Endowed Chair in Pediatric Gastrointestinal and Liver Research was established at the University of British Columbia, with the support of the CH.I.L.D. Foundation and B.C.'s Children's Hospital. This Chair will be the cornerstone in building a pediatric gastrointestinal (GI) research program in British Columbia. Dr. Bruce Vallance has been appointed as the CH.I.L.D. Foundation Research Scholar and will assume his post in early 2003. He will be a member of the Division of Gastroenterology in the Department of Pediatrics and will have a laboratory within the B.C. Research Institute for Children's and Women's Health.
Clinical studies have been the mainstay of research in the past and continue to be an important part of the research program, as evidenced by over 40 publications by the Division over the past two years. The main foci for clinical studies are in the areas of inflammatory bowel disease, liver disorders and acid related disorders (peptic ulcer and gastroesophageal diseases). Plans are underway to collaborate with the Division of Hematology/Oncology/BMT to develop clinical research of the GI system in children undergoing bone morrow transplantation.
Drs. Schreiber and Jacobson share laboratory space at the Research Institute. Both researchers have successfully competed for research grants, with the Northwestern Society of Intestinal Research, Novartis, AstraZeneca and the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of Canada (CCFC) being sources of research support. Dr. Israel has funding from the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR) and CCFC as part of a multi-centre study in pediatric Crohn's disease.