Clinical and translational research is the ‘core business’ of the IBD group at Amsterdam University Medical Center.

Given the many interest areas related to IBD, we have divided our researchers in teams with each an individual focus. However, there is a close interaction with frequent meetings to enhance each other’s insights and to stimulate scientific exchange. We also have strong research ties with the departments of imaging, immunology, clinical psychology, pharmacology and paediatrics.

Fundamental and translational research of (gastro-) intestinal diseases is concentrated at the Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research. Our lead investigators there are Wouter de Jonge, Gerd Bouma, Manon Wildenberg, Anje te Velde and Joep Grootjans. Researchers in liaison with the genetics department are Peter Henneman and Andrew Li Yim.

Clinical trials are coordinated by the IBD clinical trial centre under the leadership of Maartje Holsbergen. Principal investigators of the pharmaceutical trials are Geert D’Haens, Mark Löwenberg, Krisztina Gecse, Nanne de Boer and Cyriel Ponsioen. Coeliac disease trials are coordinated by Gerd Bouma. Pharmacokinetic studies are supervised by Ron Mathot.

Our surgical research is supervised by Willem Bemelman, Christianne Buskens and Roel Hompes. Radiological projects are run by Jaap Stoker, Karen Horsthuis and Jeroen Tielbeek.

IBD surveillance and cancer is being investigated by Evelien Dekker, Charlotte Peters and Joep Grootjans.

The Future IBD biobank falls under the responsibility of Geert D’Haens and the entire biobank team. The surgical biobank is coordinated by Manon Wildenberg, Christianne Buskens and the nationwide Parelsnoer biobank is coordinated by Mark Löwenberg.

Paediatric projects are coordinated by Marc Benninga, Johan van Limbergen, Tim van der Meij and Bart Koot.

New treatments are typically investigated in clinical trials. We have a dedicated clinical trial unit for this purpose that is supervised by Maartje Holsbergen and 10 trial coordinators/data managers/project managers, where at any time more than 10 new medications are being tested.

These clinical trials are either sponsor initiated or investigator initiated studies for both Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and coeliac disease. Many projects are still ongoing and/or actively enrolling.

Patients or specialists interested can always take contact with trial unit at ibdstudies@amsterdamumc.nl.