Sohn G. Kim, MD, PhD

Genetic and phenotypic characterization of obesity-associated E. coli strains
Fellow: Sohn G. Kim, MD, PhD
Mentors: Jonathan P. Jacobs, MD, PhD; Elaine Hsiao, PhD

This project will investigate the role of E. coli in obesity through genetic characterization of obesogenic E. coli strains and their phenotypes. It will aim to elucidate strain-level differences that contribute to obesity and explore mechanisms including intestinal barrier permeability and endotoxemia, and their effect on host response.

Janice Oh, MD, MS

Prevalence and predictors of disorders of gut-brain interaction in patients with inflammatory bowel disease
Fellow: Janice Oh, MD
Mentors: Lin Chang, MD; Jenny Sauk, MD; Berkeley Limketkai, MD, PhD

While there are studies identifying patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with varying levels of disease activity whose persistent symptoms meet Rome diagnostic criteria for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), the prevalence of non-IBS disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI) in patients with IBD has not been measured. The presence of individual symptoms (i.e. epigastric abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, constipation) in IBD patients can suggest an overlap of IBD with other DGBIs. The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence and predictors of DGBI in patients with IBD, and to assess the effects of DGBI in disease-related quality of life in patients with IBD using survey-based data. This study hopes to pave the way in characterizing the overlap between IBD and DGBI, and in establishing a clinical practice of not only achieving mucosal healing but instituting early interventions to improve quality of life in patients with IBD.