Read previewScientists have reported a major breakthrough in our understanding of inflammatory bowel disorder. The underlying pathway for inflammatory bowel disease had previously been poorly understood, making it difficult to find treatments. They dialed up the ETS2 in macrophages in the lab, and sure enough, inflammation similar to that seen in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Conditions like inflammatory bowel disease and Crohn's disease affect almost 5% of the population, and there is currently no cure. AdvertisementUnderstanding the potential biological pathways that underlie these diseases could also help researchers fight inflammatory conditions like autoimmune disorders, too.

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Persons: —, Francis Crick, Dr James Lee, gastroenterologist, Lee, we're, Christina Stankey Organizations: Service, University College London, Business, Royal Free Hospital, Guardian, Francis, Francis Crick Institute Locations: IBD, Nature