Propel a Cure for Crohn’s Disease

What role might environmental exposures play in #IBD? In our latest expert interview, Propel a Cure speaks with Dr. Manasi Agrawal about how microplastics, PFAS (“forever chemicals”), and other environmental toxicants may influence IBD development and disease activity. She discusses her recent research, the potential for developing environmental risk scores to predict IBD susceptibility, and practical ways people with IBD can minimize environmental exposures through lifestyle changes. Dr. Agrawal is a physician-scientist and Associate Professor of Medicine at the @IcahnMountSinai. She is a gastroenterologist at Mount Sinai Hospital specializing in IBD and the inaugural Director of Environmental Gastroenterology in the Henry D. Janowitz Division of Gastroenterology at ISMMS, where she oversees research on environmental chemicals that may trigger or worsen intestinal inflammation. ✨ Watch the full interview: youtu.be/zVMnQMBAdCI?is=FwOD… #microplastics #pfas #crohnsdisease #ulcerativecolitis #ibdawareness #ibdresearch @DOMSinaiNYC @MSHS_IBDCenter

In this 1-minute interview highlight, Dr. Manasi Agrawal, Director of Environmental Gastroenterology at @IcahnMountSinai, outlines small steps that concerned #IBD patients and families can take in their daily lives to reduce the potential health risks associated with certain household chemicals. To watch the full conversation, go to propelacure.org/videos. #microplastics #pfas #crohnsdisease #ulcerativecolitis

Dr. Manasi Agrawal and her team at Mount Sinai are probing potential connections between the #microplastics we encounter every day and chronic disease, including #IBD.  To learn more about research exploring the possible effects of exposure to these and other environmental chemicals, watch our full-length interview at: propelacure.org/videos.

Every breakthrough starts with research. 🔬 Your gift helps advance the science needed to better understand Crohn’s disease, uncover new treatment possibilities, and move us closer to a cure. At Propel a Cure, we’re investing in research that looks deeper at the root causes of Crohn’s and explores new paths forward. Every gift makes a difference in moving this work forward. Thank you for being part of it. Donate today to help propel Crohn’s research forward: propelacure.org/donate #PropelACure #CrohnsDisease #IBDResearch #CrohnsResearch #IBD

The team leading Propel a Cure’s newly funded research project at the @MaterResearch Institute (University of Queensland) is expanding its search for gut bacteria that may help protect against intestinal #fibrosis in Crohn’s disease. Building on its initial screening of 96 bacterial isolates, the team has screened more isolates and identified promising candidates that may influence biological processes involved in fibrosis development. The researchers are now investigating whether the potential protective effects of one promising bacterial species are unique to the strain initially identified or shared by other strains of the same species. They are also continuing to screen other bacterial isolates for promising candidates. The most promising will be prioritized for further studies to identify the substances they produce that may be responsible for these effects. This research represents an important early step toward understanding how the gut microbiome might be harnessed to help prevent or reduce intestinal fibrosis in people with Crohn’s disease. Learn more about this research at propelacure.org/researchproj… #ibd #crohnsdisease #microbiome #crohns @UQ_News

Are you an #IBD patient in NY, NJ, or PA? P3 Technology is recruiting adults in this region for a healthcare market research study. Selected participants will complete a 30-minute online pre-task and possibly a 3-hour in-home interview between October 26 and November 9. Compensation for those selected will be $50 for the online activity and $500 for those chosen for the in-home portion. To complete the screening application, visit p3-universal-survey-quality.… #ibdresearch #crohnsdisease #ulcerativecolitis #ibdawareness

Crohn’s patients: Share your experience and help advance IBD research! Propel a Cure is partnering with Rare Patient Voice to connect people living with Crohn’s disease and IBD with paid research opportunities. Your perspective can help inform research while supporting Propel a Cure’s mission to advance a cure for Crohn’s disease. Research opportunity details: 🔹 Who: Adults 18+ living in the U.S. with Crohn’s disease 🔹 What: A 60-minute, web-assisted telephone interview 🔹 Compensation: $120 for your time (equivalent to $120/hour) 🔹 Future opportunities: Eligible participants may also be invited to paid advocacy opportunities, including photo and video shoots and speaking events. Your voice matters. By sharing your experience, you can help researchers better understand life with IBD and support the work of Propel a Cure. Interested? Sign up at tinyurl.com/rvp-propel #CrohnsDisease #IBD #IBDResearch #PropelACure #PatientAdvocacy

Could targeting mitochondrial damage lead to new treatments for Crohn’s disease? With support from Propel a Cure, in partnership with the Mendez Family Foundation, researchers at @Stanford University’s Weinberg and Haileselassie Labs have launched a new project investigating how mitochondrial damage in intestinal cells may contribute to Crohn’s disease. The long-term goal is to develop and test a potential non-immunosuppressive treatment that protects intestinal cells by preventing mitochondrial damage and the release of extracellular mitochondria (ExMito). To investigate this approach, the team is growing patient-derived intestinal organoids—miniature models of the bowel created from cells collected during endoscopic biopsies. These “disease in a dish” models will allow researchers to study mitochondrial function in people with Crohn’s disease and compare it with that of healthy individuals. Next, the team will investigate how these cells respond to different types of stress, including exposure to immune cells and substances produced by gut microbes. This research is in its early stages, but understanding the underlying mechanisms of Crohn’s disease could help pave the way for new treatment strategies. We’re proud to support the scientists pursuing foundational research that could advance better treatments and, ultimately, a cure. #PropelACure #CrohnsDisease #IBDResearch #Mitochondria #IBD @StanfordMed

Our fall newsletter is coming soon! Stay up to date on the latest advances in Crohn’s disease and IBD research, updates on the studies Propel a Cure is supporting, and opportunities to help accelerate progress. Sign up today so you don’t miss this issue: propelacure.org/newsletter

Today is DAF Day! 💙 If you have a Donor-Advised Fund, today is a great day to recommend a grant to Propel a Cure and help fund research into the root causes of Crohn’s disease. Giving through your DAF is easy: 1. Log in to your DAF account. 2. Search for Propel a Cure for Crohn’s Disease. 3. Choose the amount you’d like to give. 4. Submit your grant recommendation. Your DAF is more than a charitable account. It’s an opportunity to put your generosity to work advancing research and helping create a future with better answers for people living with Crohn’s. Ready to make a difference? Recommend Propel a Cure today. #DAFDay #PropelACure #CrohnsDisease #IBD #CrohnsResearch

Does breastfeeding duration affect a child’s risk of developing IBD? A study of more than 169,000 children in Denmark, Norway and Sweden found no association between breastfeeding duration and later development of IBD, Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. The findings remained consistent after accounting for factors including parental IBD, smoking during pregnancy, maternal education, delivery method and premature birth. For mothers who have wondered whether not breastfeeding, or not breastfeeding for very long, contributed to their child’s IBD, these findings offer an important reassurance: breastfeeding duration was not associated with a child’s risk of developing IBD in these cohorts. IBD is a complex disease, and its causes are still not fully understood. Research like this helps us separate what we think might influence IBD from what the evidence actually shows. Read the full study here: cghjournal.org/article/S1542… #ibd #breastfeeding #ibdawareness #crohns #ulcerativecolitis

A recent nationwide cohort study found that the risk of psychiatric disorders increased in the years leading up to an #IBD diagnosis, peaked shortly after diagnosis, and remained elevated even 10 years later. The strongest associations were seen with major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, and substance misuse. Findings like these underscore why we need to understand IBD as a whole-body disease, not simply a disease of the digestive tract. At Propel a Cure, our mission is to support research that gets us closer to understanding the underlying causes and mechanisms of Crohn’s disease, so that future patients can have better treatments and, ultimately, better outcomes. Research moves us forward. 🔬 #crohns #mentalhealth #ulcerativecolitis #ibdawareness

Pillar Patient Advocates is seeking patients aged 65 or older who have been diagnosed with Colitis or Crohn’s Disease. The upcoming market research study involves completing a 60-minute online board activity for which $125 is paid in appreciation of one’s time and input. The purpose is to learn more about patient experiences and opinions while responding to various prompts. To determine if you qualify, please complete our registration at research.net/r/prplcribd. A Patient Liaison will call you to go through a few screening questions. This study is for US residents only. #ibd #crohnsdisease #ulcerativecolitis #uc #ibdawareness