GRANT. Magnus Simrén, professor of medical gastroenterology at the Institute of Medicine, has been awarded a SEK 9 million research grant from the Erling-Persson Family Foundation. The research project studies a newly discovered bacterial infection, which sheds new light on the common disease IBS.
The research group will study the link between food intake and a recently discovered bacterial infection in the intestines of IBS patients with diarrhea symptoms, known as a Brachyspira infection.
“The grant allows us to study the importance of the Brachyspira infection for symptoms of IBS and if other factors in the intestines are important in relation to the infection,” explains Magnus Simrén.
The research group’s hypothesis is that the bacterial infection influences how sensitive we are for different foods, and they hope to be able to identify characteristics of a subgroup of IBS patients with symptoms of Brachyspira. The results could potentially be significant in solving the mystery behind severe food-related symptoms among IBS patients.
“The hope is that the study will lead to significantly improved treatment options for this group of IBS patients.”
From a societal perspective, the research group also believes that the project can lead to significant cost savings by reducing the burden of symptoms, increasing work productivity and reducing healthcare consumption.
FACTS:
Project: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): A disorder caused by microbes, leading to loss of tolerance to dietary antigens?
Source of funding: The Erling-Persson Family Foundation: http://familjenerlingperssonsstiftelse.se
Amount: SEK 9 million over three years
TEXT: JENNY MEYER
