The focus of our research is to study the series of pathophysiologic events leading to acute and chronic pancreatitis and, eventually, pancreatic cancer. We aim to take advantage of knowledge gained at our basic research program to design therapeutic strategies intended to prevent or ameliorate human pancreatic disorders. In rodent models of acute and chronic pancreatitis we examine pancreatic regeneration, fibrogenesis, acino-ductal trandiferentiation, stellate cell activation, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and cancer development. In human pancreatitis we investigate environmental and genetic determinants (with special focus at CFTR dysfunction) and new treatment modalities for acute and chronic pancreatitis.