Fritz François, MD

Our current work focuses on the role of gut derived obesity peptides such as leptin and ghrelin in gastrointestinal health and disease. The prevalence of obesity continues to rise along with its associated adverse effects on health. Epidemiologic studies have demonstrated a link between obesity and gastroesophageal reflux, Barrett?s esophagus, esophageal adenocarcinoma, as well as colon cancer. Our goal is to try to understand the development of these diseases within the context of the interplay between hosts, environmental, and bacterial factors that may be associated energy homeostasis.