New mouse model uncovers mysteries behind Crohn's disease
By Shetal Patel | September 7, 2000Accidentally-bred mice may hold the cure for a debilitating intestinal disease. The mice, originally bred by a group of Japanese scientists to study the aging process, developed lower intestinal problems and now are key players in the study of Crohn's disease, which is the inflammation of the lower intestine. After scientists realized the mice were no good for their study, they shipped them all the way to Charlottesville, where University researchers are studying the disease. The University research got a jump start recently when the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases gave a $5.1 million grant over five years to fund further study of Crohn's disease. "If this mouse model truly represents human disease, this research will lead to a mechanistic understanding of Crohn's disease and help in the development of new therapeutic strategies," said Biomedical Engineering Prof.
