This book reaches out to a wide variety of professionals in the biomedical field with an interest in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Enormous progress has been made in the last few years since the publication of the first edition in the study of complex diseases and IBD, with hundreds of genomic regions identified that are associated with increased risk. Authored by leading clinical and research scientists in the field, the book includes state-of-the art synopses of recent genetic findings, and their interpretation for current and future exploitation in translational approaches to personalized medicine in IBD. The book also covers risk prediction, improved diagnostic and therapeutic precision, dissection of disease phenotypes and subtypes, identification of biomarkers, and host gene-microbiota interactions of clinical relevance.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) affects 1% of people worldwide. This condition is partly inherited, and genetic research has made enormous progress during the last few years, providing important insight into disease pathogenesis. This book provides a concise but complete overview of existing knowledge, with particular focus on the molecular and genetic mechanisms at the basis of IBD.

Invited experts, at the frontline of IBD research, introduce basic concepts in the pathophysiology of IBD and its two major forms Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, provide a historical perspective and highlight latest discoveries of IBD genetic research, describe how this information has helped to unravel novel pathogenetic pathways, and formulate a vision for future investigations and their clinical application in IBD.

State-of-the-art information contained in this book is an exceptional resource for all those in the biomedical field with a specific interest in IBD, including basic scientists, gastroenterologists, GI specialist doctors and research nurses, but also medical and biomedical students.