The Columbia University Digestive and Liver Disease Research Center

SUMMARY Since its formal inception in 2019, the Columbia University Digestive and Liver Disease Research Center (CU- DLDRC) has brought together an interdisciplinary group of highly accomplished basic, translational and clinical researchers with complementary backgrounds from different departments and campuses and the New York Presbyterian Hospital. The CU-DLDRC reflects vibrant growth in digestive disease science over the last two decades, paired with exceptional institutional support and a dynamic scientific environment at Columbia University. The CU-DLDRC’s vision is to contribute to improved prevention, detection and therapy of digestive diseases through the application of creative concepts, cutting-edge research methods, innovation and multi- disciplinary team science, with a strong emphasis on clinical relevance and translation. The CU-DLDRC includes 49 digestive-focused members (30 full, 19 associate) with NIH funding of $20.8M direct costs (35.6% from NIDDK). The central theme “Epithelial cells and their interactions in digestive homeostasis and disease”, reflects the passion and expertise of its members and its key role in digestive diseases. The broad coverage of digestive organs under this theme is predicated upon the conceptual framework that many disease-driving pathways, cell- cell interactions and therapeutic targets are shared across digestive organs. Guided by these principles, digestive disease research at Columbia has witnessed significant growth and impact, fruitful collaborations and joint publications and grants to a degree that would not have been achieved by studies in single digestive organs. The Administrative Core ensures success and effectiveness of the CU-DLDRC through management of its research base, operational oversight, scientific vision, innovation, and structures and activities that stimulate translational digestive science with maximum member benefits (Aim 1). The four biomedical cores offer a suite of closely linked state-of-the-art core facilities that span from clinical biospecimens and databases to cutting- edge bioinformatics, organoid platforms and advanced bioimaging, empowering members to investigate epithelial cells and their interactions; these powerful research methods will be linked the breadth of clinical expertise and biospecimens via organ-focused clinical-basic teams (Aim 2). The Pilot and Feasibility program, that to date has funded seven investigators with an exceptional rate of return, will promote impactful basic and clinical projects, thereby promoting new investigators, innovation and the integration of excellence from other fields (Aim 3). The Enrichment Program will stimulate intellectual exchange within our center and with the national digestive community through seminars, an annual retreat, and basic-clinical symposia; support new investigators and training through a formal mentoring program and workshops; and promote Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in all components and activities of the CU-DLDRC through a DEI delegate (Aim 4). Through these Aims, the CU-DLDRC will make impactful contributions to digestive disease research and serve our patients.