Dr. Jonathan Cohn

Biography

Jonathan Allen Cohn is a Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics at Duke University, specializing in gastroenterology. He has a distinguished career as an investigator and physician, focusing on the management and treatment of patients with gastrointestinal diseases. Cohn began his independent research program in 1984 and has contributed significantly to the understanding of cystic fibrosis (CF) and its associated conditions. His research has notably involved the identification of effector proteins influencing transepithelial chloride secretion in colon epithelial cells and comparing airway epithelial cells in CF patients versus healthy individuals. This foundational work led to discoveries pertaining to the CFTR gene and its role in CF pathobiology, including mechanisms related to CF-causing mutations. Cohn has been clinically active as an ABIM-certified gastroenterologist since 1983 and has played a pivotal role in mentoring the next generation of physician-scientists, supervising over 70 postdoctoral fellows and numerous graduate students. His leadership extends to being an Associate Editor for the journal 'Gastroenterology' and authoring significant textbook chapters on GI diseases and complications associated with CF. Cohn's efforts have also contributed to advancing drug development for CF, transforming it into a manageable condition and resulting in substantial royalty income for innovative treatments.

Research Interests