The mortality rate for liver pathology in Europe comes down to 14.3 per 100.000 habitants, making it the fifth most common cause of death. At present, about 70.000 European citizens die from chronic liver disease every year. Moreover, liver pathologies impose a huge economic burden on European society. The only curative therapy for acute and chronic liver failure is liver transplantation. It is thus clear that there is an urgent need for efficient clinical therapies for the treatment of liver disease.
Our group is exploring mechanisms and new therapies of liver disease. We are currently focussing on drug-induced acute liver failure, liver fibrosis and liver steatosis (i.e. non-alcoholic fatty liver disease). For the purpose of elucidating mechanisms that underlie these pathologies, we have developed a number of in vitro models, mainly based on primary hepatocytes. These models are robust, well-characterized and appropriately reflect specific mechanistic aspects of the pathology concerned. In collaboration with our Brazilian collaborators, this in vitro know-how has been complemented by a set of human-relevant mouse models of the aforementioned hepatic diseases. These animal models are well-suited for testing new therapeutics, but equally to explore novel diagnostic biomarkers. As such, these models are interesting tools from the translational research point of view.
We are keen on findings partners to further apply both the in vitro and in vivo models for fundamental and clinical testing purposes. We not only aim at academics, but, especially at clinical scientists and industry.
Interested parties can contact: