CURE: Digestive Diseases Research Center

CURE: Digestive Diseases Research Center (CURE: DDRC) is composed of a cohesive group of physicians and basic scientists with strong independent peer-reviewed grant-supported research programs based in the Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases at UCLA. Dr. Morton I. Grossman, a pioneer of gastrointestinal (GI) endocrine physiology, established the Center for Ulcer Research and Education (CURE) in 1974. Its original focus was on peptic ulcer disease and the mechanisms that regulate gastric acid output. Over the years, and under the leadership of Dr. John Walsh and subsequently of Dr. Enrique Rozengurt, the center has modified its scope and focus reflecting the evolution and changing needs of its research base and scientific developments. Center investigators are interested in the biology and pathology of the digestive system, with special emphasis on regulation of mucosal cell function, enteric neuroscience, liver inflammation and metabolism, signal transduction mechanisms and cancers of the digestive system. The research emphasis is acquisition and dissemination of new knowledge about cellular, molecular and pathophysiological processes that control the function of the digestive system and translation of this knowledge into development of preventive and therapeutic strategies for patients with digestive diseases.

The faculty provides digestive diseases-specific biomedical research services, which facilitate access to technologies, and to clinical and biological materials that are essential to the research programs of center members. These services provide access to modern cellular imaging to study signaling proteins and their functions, animal models for studying integrative physiology and pathophysiology, microbiome services via the Goodman-Luskin Microbiome Center and access to a broad range of techniques and patients for clinical studies. The Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases provides a wide range of administrative support for members and for research activities, including a comprehensive and multidisciplinary enrichment program. The innovative programs of the division reflect the overall goal to impact patient care through a mechanistic understanding of the digestive system and its diseases.