Expertise
The research focus of Dr. Abreu’s laboratory is inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and colon cancer. Dr. Abreu has a special interest in the intimate relationship between the intestinal mucosa of the human host and its associated intestinal microbiota. In particular, her laboratory is interested in testing the hypothesis that innate immune receptors that recognize bacteria activate intestinal epithelial cells to proliferate promoting colitis-associated cancer.
Current research projects address the following topics:
- How bacteria are recognized by the gut to prevent colon cancer
- The innate immune system in IBD
- The genetics of IBD in minorities
- The genetics of gut bacteria
- Quorum sensing molecules in relation to IBD
Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn's disease.