Press Release: The Helmsley Charitable Trust Funds Asian Research into Babies’ Gut Microbiota and Crohn’s Disease

The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust awarded a USD $2.5 million grant (equivalent to approximately HKD 19.5 million) to the Faculty of Medicine at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CU Medicine) to study gut microbiota of pregnant mothers and babies to determine how early life environmental and dietary factors contribute to the development of Crohn’s disease. This study will assess how early life exposures can influence the child’s health and be harnessed for disease risk prediction, prevention and treatment.

CU Medicine pioneers gut microbiota research in Asia

Early childhood is the best time to manipulate microbiota to prevent diseases. CU Medicine researchers will study development of microbiota in early life to identify therapeutic targets to prevent onset and hopefully cure Crohn’s disease. CU Medicine faculty, comprised of gastroenterologists, microbiologists, obstetricians and scientists, has been the pioneer in Asia in gut microbiota research.

Read the full press release here.