Liver Diseases Branch - (LDB)
The Liver Diseases Branch of NIDDK consists of six senior investigators, four clinical fellows, research nurses, research fellows, students and supporting staff. The mission of the Branch is to develop integrated, multidisciplinary approaches to the study of liver diseases, and to bridge clinical medicine and basic science with translation of fundamental knowledge to prevention, diagnosis and treatment of liver diseases. The Branch fulfills three principal roles:
(1) the conduct of both basic and clinical research on hepatic physiology and disease;
(2) a consultative service for patients with hepatobiliary diseases, in the Clinical Center of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and referrals from outside physicians; and
(3) the training of clinical fellows in clinical hepatology and research related to the liver.
The research interests of the Branch are currently concentrated in these areas:
(1) molecular pathogenesis of hepatitis B and C virus infection;
(2) mechanisms of viral hepatocarcinogenesis;
(3) viral and cellular immunobiology of viral hepatitis;
(4) molecular strategies for vaccine and antiviral development;
(5) animal models of liver diseases;
(6) molecular mechanisms of iron metabolism and toxicity;
(7) treatments of viral hepatitis;
(8) treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis;
(9) Evaluation, management and therapy of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis and metabolic/genetic liver disease;
(10) evaluation of the biology of non-cirrhotic portal hypertension;
(11) developing an understanding of hepatic involvement in other diseases such as Chronic Granulomatous Disease and Sickle Cell Disease.
Page last updated: January 21, 2009
