Gastrointestinal Epithelium Modeling (GEM) Program News

April edition of 'Tour the Cores' Q&A with the CHOP Research Institute highlights who we are and what we do: using patient-derived tissue to grow organoids that model how individual patients may respond to therapies.

CHOP’s Transforming EoE Frontier Program is redefining how eosinophilic esophagitis is diagnosed and treated through minimally invasive testing and cutting-edge molecular tools.

Researchers identified a potential new therapeutic target for eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), a chronic allergic inflammatory disease of the esophagus

Researchers defined key differences in intestinal epithelial cells in patients with Crohn’s disease, which reveal a new epithelial cell state found only in patients with the disease.

Doctors Amanda Muir and Kate Hamilton share a common interest in using patient-derived organoids to study pediatric gastrointestinal (GI) diseases. In 2019, they established the Gastrointestinal Epithelium Modeling Program, a collaborative effort dedicated to accelerating discovery and innovation in the search for cures and prevention strategies for these diseases.

The 2024 Gut Cell Atlas (GCA) Convening highlighted the most recent research advances into understanding the biology of Crohn’s disease. Drs. Kate Hamilton and Tatiana Karakasheva represent the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute in this initiative, which aims to build a detailed catalog the cell types composing human small and large intestines, further our understanding of Crohn's disease, and identify pathways towards curative therapy and ultimately, prevention.

Researchers from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) confirmed that “mini-intestines” generated from patient tissue samples and grown in a lab can accurately replicate certain features of Crohn’s disease, which will allow them to study the epithelium, the thin layer of cells lining the intestine, that is broken down in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. 

Researchers from CHOP and Penn are working to perfect 3D models of GI disease and create more personalized treatments for patients.

Alongside conducting critical research, many faculty members at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia play dual roles as mentors to postdocs and fellows in their labs, imparting scientific knowledge about their respective fields, sharing career guidance, and creating an environment conducive to building the next generation of successful scientists.

In a new partnership between the Office of Academic Training and Outreach Programs with Central High School of the School District of Philadelphia, three students selected by their teachers conducted research at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute.