The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a cytosolic-bound receptor and member of the basic helix-loop-helix/Per-Arnt-Sim (bHLH/PAS) family of transcription factors. This protein is a ligand-activated transcription factor expressed in a variety of different cells and serves a several important functions, to include regulating metabolizing enzymes, immune cell responses, and cellular differentiation. Ligands, or molecules known to bind to this receptor, exist naturally in the environment or are synthetically created. Sources of ligands include exogeneous (e.g. TCDD, haolgenated aromatic hydrocarbons), endogeneous (e.g. FICZ, kynurenic acid, bilirubin), dietary (e.g. indole-3-carbinol, resveratrol, quercetin, tumeric/curcumin), and pharmacological (e.g. alpha-napthoflavone, CH-223191). Due to its prominent role in regulating immune cell responses, AhR is an attractive therapeutic target for many diseases, including inflammatory disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBDs). Research has shown that AhR activation is dysregulated in many types of IBDs, such as ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD). Our lab investigates the cell-specific role AhR plays during colitis disease and other colitis-associated conditions.