Intestinal inflammation, such as that associated with the inflammatory bowel diseases(IBDs), is characterized by the production of a number of pro-inflammatorycytokines, including the type II interferon, interferon-γ (IFNγ).IFNγ is known to exert a number of effects on intestinal epithelial cells,including disruption of both the intestinal epithelial barrier and active iontransport signalling events [1,2]. The gene discussed is IFNG; the disease is inflammatory bowel disease.