Translational Genetics Group
The Translational Genetics Group (TGG) integrates cutting-edge technologies, big data and AI to determine the underlying causes of the inflammatory bowel diseases (i.e., Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis), related immune mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) and other conditions that demonstrate pleiotropic effects with IBD (e.g., metabolic diseases). The TGG uses similar approaches to determine the molecular causes of clinical heterogeneity including differences in the natural history and response to therapies in IBD.
The TGG is under the leadership of Dermot McGovern, PhD, the Joshua L. and Lisa Z. Greer Chair in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Genetics.
The team also studies the role of genetics in susceptibility to IBD in diverse populations. It utilizes advanced analytic approaches to identify biomarkers and novel therapeutic targets for IBD that feed the Drug Discovery and Development Group.
Key Research Areas
- Multi-omic and AI-Based Approaches —Leveraging genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics alongside AI to decode IBD complexity.
- Clinical Heterogeneity & Disease Classification—Refining IBD subtypes by integrating molecular population data with clinical and imaging features.
- Population Genetics & Molecular Population Studies—Identifying genetic factors influencing IBD across population of different ancestries.
- Disease Behavior Prediction—Utilizing machine learning to forecast disease progression and treatment response.
- Radiomics & Histopathology—Applying advanced imaging analytics and tissue- based AI models to identify novel biomarkers.
- Monogenic Forms of IBD—Examining the role of monogenic disease in very early-onset IBD and older-onset IBD.
- Classification of IBD—Assessing classifications, including with perianal disease.
- Precision Medicine in IBD—Translating data-driven discoveries into targeted therapies and biomarker discovery for personalized patient management.
The TGG is extremely collaborative and is an active member of several consortia including the NIDDK IBD Genetics Consortium, The International IBD Genetics Consortium, the VEO IBD Consortium, TopClass, MIALatinX Consortium, PROMISE, and AIRE (African IBD Research Enterprise). We also have collaborations across the globe including with groups in Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Ethiopia, the UK, and other countries across Europe and North America.
We have received funding from the National Institutes of Health, The Helmsley Charitable Trust, ECCO, The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, The Clifford Family Foundation Trust, Fred L. Hartley Foundation, F. Widjaja Family Foundation, and Joshua and Lisa Greer.
Our goal is to traverse the bedside-to-bench-and-back-to-bedside journey and deliver solutions, thereby improving the lives of people with IBD and related conditions. We have demonstrated our ability to take discoveries to the clinic with the translation of pharmacogenomic and other biomarkers, as well as the development of anti-TL1A therapeutic for the treatment of IBD.
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Inflammatory Bowel & Immunobiology Research Institute
110 George Burns Road.
Davis Building, Suite D4063
Los Angeles CA 90048