Human Paratuberculosis Foundation seeks to sponsor innovative research projects which will add to our understanding of MAP’s role in human disease. We encourage cooperative efforts among investigators, research centers, and other resources. Human Para is pleased to announce our first research project in conjunction with 10 investigators from 5 different countries. This initial study seeks to confirm that Crohn’s disease patients have a significantly higher rate of MAP infection than individuals that do not have Crohn’s, and to compare more recent rapid culture methods from multiple laboratories. Our funding goal is $40,000 which will allow 210 samples (60 from Crohn’s patients, 150 controls) to be tested. MAP cultures and antibody studies will be performed in the laboratories of John Aitken, Timothy Bull, Irene Grant, Horacio Bach, Peilin Zhang and Raghava Potula.