Small and large bowel dysfunction

Abstract

The study of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) has advanced greatly, with the identification of the first disease susceptibility gene for Crohn's disease, the tentative identification of other susceptibility loci for IBD, the creation of new animal models of IBD using gene knock out and transgenic technology, and the application of cellular and molecular techniques to develop novel therapies for IBD. This chapter summarizes the important molecular and genetic developments relevant to the study of IBD, celiac sprue, lactase deficiency, glucose-galactose malabsorption, and abetalipoproteinemia as several prominent examples of how molecular technology can help advance the practice of gastrointestinal medicine. © 2006 Humana Press Inc.