Dr. Matthew Coates is a physician-scientist with long-standing research interest relating to the interplay between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and neuroendocrine signaling systems. To this end, he has focused much of his effort evaluating intestinal serotonin, neurotrophic and other signaling systems in the context of IBD and other inflammatory disorders of the gut. He is also very interested in how these factors impact visceral sensation and other key functions of the gastrointestinal tract.

His laboratory utilizes a variety of innovative molecular (e.g., next-generation genomics, immunohistochemistry, immunoassays) and functional (e.g., quantitative sensory and visceromotor testing) techniques to investigate these issues.

Dr. Coates is also overseeing the development of a gastroenterology-based intestinal disease data registry and biorepository. As part of this effort, critical data and tissue samples (including endoscopically derived intestinal biopsies and blood) are collected in order to facilitate multi-modal, prospective studies related to the research interests described above as well as related topics.