Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), which afflict millions of patients, are rapidly increasing in incidence world-wide in parallel with industrialization. Pathogenesis involves both host genetic as well environmental factors, with the most currently utilized therapeutics focusing on long-term host immunosuppression. Despite tremendous advances in our understanding of IBD genetics, the mucosal immune system, and environmental factors such as the gut microbiome, currently available therapeutic modalities for IBD remain suboptimal. The overall goal of this conference is to bring together world-class investigators and clinicians to discuss the latest scientific knowledge relevant to the pathogenesis of IBD and facilitate an interactive discussion to accelerate development of new opportunities to prevent and/or treat IBD.