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Crohn's & Colitis Foundation Selects Leading Cal Tech
Digestive Disease Researcher for New Prestigious Award

New York, New York—July 30, 2009—The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation has selected Sarkis Mazmanian, PhD, Assistant Professor of Biology at the California Institute of Technology, a UCLA Phi Beta graduate with a doctorate in microbiology and immunology, as the recipient of its first 'Scholar in Ulcerative Colitis' research award. It was established to honor the advances made by the Foundation's highest ranked and funded awardee in ulcerative colitis research.

"This award highlights the essential role research plays in finding better therapies and ultimately a cure for inflammatory bowel diseases—chronic and painful digestive diseases impacting 1.4 million Americans," says Richard J. Geswell, President of the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation. "We congratulate Dr. Mazmanian for this achievement and applaud his dedication to research in this area."

Dr. Mazmanian, named by Discover magazine as one of the "Best Brains in Science" only last year, began his work with CCFA in 2006 after he was granted a Career Development Award. This resulted in the discovery of how a single bacterium (B. fragilis) offers protection from the gastrointestinal inflammation of ulcerative colitis in laboratory animal model. In 2008, this breathtaking research into the complex world of intestinal bacteria became the front cover feature of the prestigious scientific journal Nature. These discoveries helped build on evidence that the gastrointestinal tract is home to hundreds of beneficial bacteria, and that some of these 'probiotic' microorganisms may help promote human health. Dr. Mazmanian believes that even though intestinal bacteria have been implicated as playing a major role in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, the identities and mechanisms of action by beneficial microbes in preventing Crohn's and colitis remain poorly described. 

The award was named for Rolf Benirschke, former NFL placekicker for the San Diego Chargers, for his past and continued efforts to raise awareness of and funds for Crohn's and colitis. In 1977, Benirschke began his public battle with ulcerative colitis, which at the time, was not well known. With Benirschke's openess, much-needed awareness was brought to this extremely underrepresented and misunderstood disease. His ability to fight through his nearly fatal battle with the disease and continue to inspire the Crohn's and colitis community parallels the Foundation's efforts to aim high to accomplish its mission to find better therapies and ultimately a cure—something that may be in reach with the help of top dedicated CCFA-funded researchers like Dr. Mazmanian. 

Dr. Mazmanian will continue this groundbreaking research through the new three-year CCFA-funded study which has been named for Benirschke. Through the study, Dr. Mazmanian, along with collaborators and consultants, will aim to provide novel advances toward our fundamental understanding of how symbiotic bacteria network with the immune system to prevent ulcerative colitis. Through outcomes of past studies, Dr. Mazmanian believes that harnessing the potential of natural microbial molecules that direct beneficial immune responses may lead to the development of much needed therapies for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

About Crohn's Disease & Ulcerative Colitis
Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are painful, medically incurable illnesses that attack the digestive system. Crohn's disease may attack anywhere from the mouth to the anus, while ulcerative colitis inflames only the large intestine (colon). Symptoms may include abdominal pain, persistent diarrhea, rectal bleeding, fever, and weight loss. Many patients require hospitalization and surgery.  These illnesses can cause severe complications, including colon cancer in patients with long-term disease. Some 1.4 million American adults and children suffer from Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, with as many as 150,000 under the age of 18.  Most people develop the diseases between the ages of 15 and 35.

About the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation
The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America's mission is to cure Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, and to improve the quality of life of children and adults affected by these diseases. The Foundation ranks third among leading health non-profits in the percentage of expense devoted to research toward a cure, with more than 81 cents of every dollar the Foundation spends goes to mission-critical programs. The Foundation consistently meets the standards of organizations that monitor charities, including the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance (give.org) and the American Institute of Philanthropy (charitywatch.org). For more information, contact the Foundation at 800-932-2423 or visit www.ccfa.org.
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