소화기연구소

Rising Gastrointestinal Disease

  Liver and digestive diseases occur frequently in Northeast Asia, including Korea, and the death rate has increased, and the resulting economic loss is also a disease (Figure). Accumulation of research capabilities is required for digestive diseases.

Effects and Expectations of Basic Research on Gastrointestinal Diseases

  The knowledge accumulated through life science and basic research of digestive diseases is widely applied to clinical applications of medicine, and it is expected to contribute to innovation in translational research and personalized medicine, economic and industrial development, and promotion of human health and welfare. The rapid development of various new medical technologies following the 4th industrial revolution leads to a leap forward in convergence bio-health technology, and in the medical field, personalized microbiome, gene correction, patient-specific medicine, cyber health care, cell tracking technology, and aging speedometer, changed with the development of smart biosensors and cognitive augmented virtual reality.

In particular, the study of the intestinal microbiome, which is considered the second organ in the world, has been actively conducted recently, and the relationship between digestive diseases and the intestinal microbiome is being highlighted (Figure). In addition, deaths due to infectious diseases have decreased significantly over the past century, leading to a change in noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and obesity, as the main (70%) cause of death worldwide. Although the definition of NCD excludes microorganisms as a cause and focuses on heredity, environment, and lifestyle, the concept of various animal experiments and early clinical trials is changing to a communicable disease caused by microbial transmission rather than exclusion of microorganisms.

Methods to prevent or treat diseases by manipulating the gut microbiome are emerging as new treatments that are likely to expand to diseases including NCD and are emerging as a treatment that changes the medical paradigm. Fecal Microbiota Transplantation, a representative method for treating diseases by manipulating intestinal microbes, has been internationally established and revised guidelines.