Prof. Peter Gibson is Head of Luminal Gastroenterology Research, in the Department of Gastroenterology at the Central Clinical School.  

This diverse program targets many chronic and common gastrointestinal conditions:

Clinical Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Clinical IBD research projects are investigating several aspects of the disease and its treatment.

Optimising the use of thiopurine immunomodulators

Two studies are focusing on the use of metabolite monitoring to optimize thiopurine immunomodulators - AAA study examining the use of concomitant allopurinol thiopurines in selected patients, and the EATME study in which the rational use of metabolites during the initiation of theipurine therapy is being addressed

The clinical value of anti-TNF drug level monitoring

The use of serum drug and antibody levels in improving outcomes with anti-TNF agents

Multi-centre clinical trials of new therapies

We are an investigating centre for industry-sponsored randomised controlled trials. These include the use of adhesion-molecule blocking antibodies and chemokine-receptor blocking small molecules in patients with refractory Crohn’s disease, and adhesion-molecule blocking antibodies in ulcerative colitis.

Collaborative research projects

Collaborative research projects include the study of mesenchymal stem cells as a therapy for Crohn’s disease patients refractory to biological therapies, and others as part of the Australia and New Zealand IBD Consortium.

Basic mechanisms in IBD

Current projects involve the role of vitamin D and the renin-angiotensin system in the pathogenesis and treatment of IBD.

Functional gastrointestinal disorders

Work includes defining mechanisms underlying the success or otherwise of the Low FODMAP diet, and evaluation of specific nutriceuticals in IBS.

Coeliac disease

Work on new ways of treating patients with coeliac disease and how coeliac disease might influence cognitive function.

Eosinophilic oesophagitis

A new program of studies on the pathogenesis and treatment of this increasingly common condition has been launched.