Liver Metabolism and Disorders Laboratory (LiMED)

The Liver Metabolism and Disorders Laboratory specialises in comprehensive liver research, with a primary focus on four key areas: 

• Liver Disease: We are investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying the hepatic cellular responses to chronic liver diseases of various etiologies, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), drugs, and cholestatic disease, as well as the hepatic regenerative response after liver resection.
• Liver Cancer (Cholangiocarcinoma). The lab investigates the molecular mechanisms involved in the development of cholangiocarcinoma, identifying biomarkers for early diagnosis and novel therapeutic strategies.
• Liver Regeneration. Research focuses on the integration of the metabolic processes and cell proliferation that underlie liver regeneration, exploring the potential therapeutic approaches to enhance the liver’s regenerative capacity after liver injury.
• Hepatic Fibrosis. The laboratory examines the molecular mechanisms driving liver fibrosis, including the activation of hepatic stellate cells and extracellular matrix remodelling, to better understand fibrosis progression and reversal, and to identify potential targets for anti-fibrotic therapies.
• Hepatic Metabolism. The lab investigates how hepatic mitochondria adapt to different physiological states, such as fasting or nutrient overload. It also studies metabolic dysregulation in Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD) and its link to the development of more severe liver conditions.
  
  In sum, the laboratory goal is to achieve a deeper understanding of liver biology in health and disease, paving the way for the development of innovative diagnostic tools, effective therapies, and regenerative medicine strategies to improve outcomes for patients with liver-related disorders.