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Our research

The Centre for Liver and Gastrointestinal Research focuses on several key areas, including immune regulation, tissue repair and regeneration, primary liver cancer, vascular biology and fibrosis, and clinical trials in liver disease. The centre aims to translate scientific discoveries into clinical applications, including cell therapy, biomarkers, drug discovery and antibody therapy, thereby improving treatment options for patients with liver disease and bowel disease. We work closely with patients and the public in our research.

Research into the basic science and translational aspects of human liver and bowel disease is a strong focus at the University of Birmingham. We have been supported by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) since 2008. Most recently, in 2022, the University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust & University of Birmingham partnership was awarded further NIHR Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) funding. The NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre specialises in translational research into chronic inflammatory diseases. We also have extensive UKRI, charity and Industry funding.

Key focus areas of liver research

Immune regulation in liver disease

  • We are interested in the contribution of  the liver-resident and systemic immune system to liver disease.
  • We are working to understand how resident immune cells orchestrate the immune response to drive tolerance or immune-mediated damage.
  • Does clearance of immune cells by the liver alter the balance between immune regulation and chronic inflammation? 
  • We wish to understand whether the immune system can be targeted to modulate chronic organ damage and autoimmunity.
  • We also wish to harness regulatory elements of the immune system to manage liver cancer and autoimmunity.
  • Is there potential for immune-related biomarkers to allow us to stage and diagnose liver disease?

Liver virology and immune evasion

  • What determines how viruses infect the liver and what are the consequences of this?
  • Can our understanding of viral trophism be used to develop new treatments for disease?
  • What is the contribution of the hepatic immune system to viral evasion?
  • Does the function of key liver cell populations explain side effects related to viral infection or immunisation?

Liver cancer

  • Tumour microenvironment and immune evasion
  • Biomarkers and novel therapeutic interventions in primary and secondary liver cancer

Tissue Injury and Transplantation

  • Immunity and cell-mediated injury in the liver
  • Fibrosis
  • Molecular regulation of ischemia reperfusion and pre-conditioning in the liver
  • Regulation of inflammation and tolerance in the liver

Clinical Trials in Liver Disease

Our basic science research is being translated into early phase clinical trials through the NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre . We are also involved in a large number of pharmaceutical trials of new treatments for liver disease. 

Funding agencies