an image of a human body with a large intestines

Scientists at Karolinska Institutet have identified a molecule capable of promoting intestinal healing after injury while also inhibiting tumor growth in colorectal cancer. This breakthrough has the potential to pave the way for new therapies targeting inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and cancer. Many patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis do not respond to available treatments, highlighting the need to identify novel therapeutic strategies. In a new study published in Nature, researchers propose that promoting mucosal healing through tissue regeneration could be a valid alternative to immunosuppressive drugs. The researchers used a collection of advanced technologies to conduct their study, which included mapping the transcriptome of intestinal cells. The researchers also cultivated what are known as 3D organoids: small, three-dimensional cell structures that mimic the function and structure of the body’s own organs, albeit in miniature format. Scientists