Center for Clinical and Translational Science

The Rockefeller University Center for Basic and Translational Research on Disorders of the Digestive Systems (CDDS) hosted its first symposium and research in progress poster session on October 22, 2012, attracting basic and translational scientists from the Rockefeller campus and neighboring institutions.
Sponsored by the Leona and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, the symposium focused on emerging developments in digestive disease research and included research talks from Martin Blaser, M.D. of New York University School of Medicine on the “Effects of Early Life Antibiotics on Developmental Phenotypes”, Balfour Sartor M.D of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on “ Host-microbial Interactions in Chronic Intestinal Inflammation: Implication for IBD Pathogenesis and Treatment”, Leonard Saltz, M.D. of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center on “ One Giant Leap for a Man (or Woman); One Small Step for Mankind: Curing Rectal Cancer, One Individual at a Time”, Peter R. Holt, M.D. from Rockefeller on “ Obesity and Cancer Translational Studies at the Rockefeller University”, and Charles M. Rice, Ph.D. from Rockefeller on “Model Systems for the Study of Hepatrotropic Pathogens and Liver Disease”.

Investigators updated the audience on the latest advances research in inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, cancer, liver disease, and hepatitis. The symposium concluded with a research in progress poster session, including both senior and junior investigators from Rockefeller and Weill-Cornell. 

Twenty-one posters were presented, including a poster by The Rockefeller University Hospital’s Bionutrition department highlighting its support of metabolic studies and resources available to investigators who are interested in conducted research at the institution.

After the symposium was concluded, Dr. Martin Blaser led the first CDDS External Advisory Board meeting. Attendees included other members of the Advisory Board, Drs. David Alpers, Barry Coller, Leonard Saltz, and R. Balfour Sartor, as well as members of the CDDS Executive Committee.

CDDS was established in 2012 with a $15 million grant from the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust to fund research in digestive disorders, including metabolic diseases, cancers and infections. The Center supports interdisciplinary basic research and fosters collaborations among some 20 Rockefeller labs that study biological processes related to the digestive system. For more information please visit the CDDS website at http://digestivedisorders.rockefeller.edu.