Postdoc Fellowships 2025 - Project 4
Short running title of project: Systemic MASLD Pathophysiology and Diabetes Risk
Project title: Understanding the Pathophysiology of Systemic MASLD
Summary
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a growing burden comprising liver fat accumulation and progressing to inflammation, namely steatohepatitis (MASH), fibrosis, and ultimately life-threatening conditions, namely cirrhosis and cancer. MASLD is very common, especially among people with obesity, and it is associated with diabetes and heart disease. However, not everyone with MASLD develops these serious complications, suggesting that there are different types of this condition.
Recently we identified two forms of MASLD: a "liver-specific" MASLD that mainly affects the liver without raising the risk of other diseases, and a "systemic" MASLD that strongly increases the risk of diabetes and heart problems. This project aims at understanding the pathophysiology of systemic MASLD.
Using advanced genetic and transcriptomics analysis techniques, the research team will study human liver and visceral adipose tissue from individuals with obesity to discover which genes, cells, and metabolic pathways are responsible for driving the disease and its link to diabetes.
By improving our understanding, this project will enable the identification of new drug targets and strategies to prevent or treat MASLD and diabetes simultaneously in the future.