Liver damage is caused by a variety of agents including inherited autoimmune conditions, metabolic disorders related to diabetes and obesity, infection with viruses and damage from drug or alcohol exposure. We are investigating all these conditions to discover unique and common mechanistic pathways, and have a particular interest in hepatic immune regulation. Our experimental approach incorporates state-of-the-art culture systems, serological analysis cell phenotyping and imaging analysis as well as functional assays, and we are fortunate to have access to human material donated by our patients to validate and accelerate translation of our discoveries. Results from these studies are in stages of translational development within the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre (as exemplified by the PIANO and IMMUNOTACE trials) and we have partnerships with the pharmaceutical industry (e.g. Biotie, ChemoCentryx, Boehringer) to further develop current projects based on anti-inflammatory therapeutics and cell based immunotherapies.
Read more about the Centre for Liver Research.