NEW YORK (GenomeWeb) – The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) today announced a partnership with the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) and Janssen Biotech to create a grant program promoting research into the epigenetic factors of inflammatory bowel disease.
Under the program, the partners will together provide $100,000 per year for three years to support research on the role of epigenetics in the development or treatment of IBD.
"Epigenetic research could be an important part of approaches to understanding the complex interactions between genetic and environmental factors — for example, diet, bacteria, or medications — affecting the development and course of IBD," CCFA Chief Scientific Officer Caren Heller said in a statement. "This focus of research is a natural fit with CCFA's ongoing Genetics and Microbiome Initiatives, which are ultimately aimed at developing individualized treatment approaches for patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis."
Eligible applicants must have completed a gastroenterology training program or received a doctorate within the past seven years and currently hold a faculty position at a North American university. The recipient will be chosen by an independent panel of AGA and CCFA members who are recognized experts in IBD research. Information on how to apply for the award can be found at the CCFA website.
Full applications are due on March 15, 2015.