University Study Discovers New Effective Clinical Target to Manage Irritable Bowel Syndrome

The research team of Professor Bian Zhaoxiang, Director of the Clinical Division and Tsang Shiu Tim Endowed Professor in Chinese Medicine Clinical Studies (C); Dr Xavier Wong Hoi-leong, Assistant Professor of the Teaching and Research Division (R); and Dr Zhai Lixiang, Post-Doctoral Research Fellow (L) of School of Chinese Medicine at Hong Kong Baptist University, in Hong Kong, on Jan. 4, 2023 Courtesy of HKBU

Researchers at the School of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Hong Kong Baptist University discovered that an intestinal bacteria called ruminococcus gnavus is the primary culprit that triggers diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome, and they have found a new remedial target for the disease.

Bian Zhaoxiang, Director of the Clinical Division and Tsang Shiu Tim, Endowed Professor in Chinese Medicine Clinical Studies; Dr. Xavier Wong Hoi-leong, Assistant Professor of the Teaching and Research Division; and Dr. Zhai Lixiang, Post-Doctoral Research Fellow of SCM at HKBU, joined hand in the groundbreaking study.