# Integrated Epithelial and Muscosal Biology

> **NIH NIH P30** · BOSTON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL · 2024 · $1,248,678

## Abstract

Project Summary
The Harvard Digestive Disease Center (HDDC) is a community of 66 Principal (Full) Members with over
$39M annual funding for research directly related to the digestive diseases (this is our Research Base,
31% NIDDK). Center members focus on understanding the cell, tissue, and developmental biology of the
mucosal surfaces lining the alimentary tract: this is the Center’s Theme. We address the fundamental
mechanisms that underlie normal digestive tract function and the pathogenesis of digestive diseases.
Center members work in 4 major Research Areas that address the basis for most diseases of the
alimentary tract: n Cell, Developmental, and Stem Cell Biology of the Alimentary Tract; n Innate and
Adaptive Mucosal Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis; n Gut Microbiology and Metabolism; and n
Clinical and Translational Human Studies.
The Center also includes 55 Affiliate Members (not included in Research Base), who participate in
Center activities, use our Cores, but who conduct research that falls outside the theme of the HDDC.
Our Members’ resources are amplified through services, equipment and training in 3 Biomedical Cores
that provide: (Core B) high-resolution microscopy & histopathology, (Core C) diverse technologies to
study epithelial cell function & mucosal immunology, and (Core D) technologies in gnotobiotic mice,
microbiological and metabolic analyses. Our Cores helped produce 424 original papers. The HDDC
Clinical Component supports clinical and translational GI research through subsidized biostatistical and
bio-repository services. The Center fosters scientific collaborations through an Enrichment Program
reflecting our theme, including an annual symposium, a biennial regional conference "Frontiers in
Mucosal Immunology", and monthly seminars and workshops focused on young investigators. The
HDDC also promotes careers of young scientists through a competitive Pilot-Feasibility Grant Program
that has supported 62 investigators since 2006: 92% were awarded major independent funding within 5
years of their award, and all, but one, remain active in digestive diseases-related research.
Center Director Wayne Lencer (PI) and Associate Director Richard Blumberg (Co-PI) are highly
accomplished physician-scientists, currently Division Chiefs of Pediatric and Adult GI at two major
Harvard teaching hospitals, and both are Directors of NIH-funded T32 training programs in
Gastroenterology. They are assisted in HDDC leadership by an Executive Committee that includes all
Core Directors and Research Area (Affinity-group) Directors, and guided by an External Advisory Board
who are all highly accomplished scientists and leaders in GI-related research.
The HDDC’s overarching mission is to foster and expand basic and translational science in digestive
diseases by n connecting people, n creating opportunity, and n extending resources.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10820544
- **Project number:** 5P30DK034854-39
- **Recipient organization:** BOSTON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** WAYNE I LENCER
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $1,248,678
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1997-09-01 → 2026-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10820544

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10820544, Integrated Epithelial and Muscosal Biology (5P30DK034854-39). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10820544. Licensed CC0.

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