Metabolic and Liver Disease Research Program
The LSUHS Metabolic and Liver Disease Research Program directed by Drs. Oren Rom and Arif Yurdagul, is poised to become a premier research enterprise dedicated to advancing the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of metabolic and liver diseases. These diseases not only represent a major public health concern but also impose a significant economic burden on healthcare systems, evidenced by high treatment costs and loss of productivity associated with advanced liver disease.
Advancing the Understanding, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Metabolic and Liver Diseases
These include Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD), Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH), along with related comorbidities such as diabetes and obesity. These diseases are increasingly prevalent, particularly in Louisiana, and are the primary drivers of cirrhosis, liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma that require liver transplantation. Currently, treatment options for these diseases are limited, underscoring an urgent need for innovative and effective therapies.
By focusing on the pathogenesis of these conditions and developing new therapeutic strategies, this program aims to
- reduce the incidence of severe liver disease,
- decrease the necessity for liver transplants, and
- alleviate the economic impacts associated with these debilitating conditions.
OBJECTIVES
- Advancing Research Excellence: Our primary goal is to drive cutting-edge research that addresses the complex mechanisms underlying metabolic and liver diseases. By bringing together experts from diverse fields, we aim to develop innovative approaches and technologies to reveal the metabolic, molecular, and cellular mechanisms underlying these conditions, with the ultimate goal of translating these findings into the clinic.
- Fostering Collaboration: The LSUHS Metabolic and Liver Disease Research Program will serve as a hub for interdisciplinary collaboration, going beyond traditional departmental barriers. We aim to facilitate joint research projects, shared resources, and intellectual exchange to accelerate scientific discovery and its translation into clinical practice. Furthermore, to capitalize on the availability of more lucrative grant mechanisms, the LSUHS Metabolic and Liver Disease Research Program is actively involved in identifying potential teams of researchers across the LSU Health Shreveport campus that share an interest in MASLD, MASH, diabetes, obesity and related comorbidities. These teams, comprised of basic scientists, clinicians, trainees, and support personnel, will be encouraged to develop a plan for submission of multi-PI R01s and program grants to the NIH.
- Supporting Emerging Talent: We are committed to nurturing the next generation of scientists. LSUHS Metabolic and Liver Disease Research Program members will be encouraged to have their trainees apply for one of our prestigious predoctoral and postdoctoral fellowships. The goal is to encourage the productive development and professional growth of budding trainees.
- Enhancing Visibility: Through our invited seminar speaker series and annual symposium, we will host prominent experts who will share their latest research findings and insights. These events will not only stimulate intellectual exchange but also enhance the visibility and prestige of our initiative and LSU Health Shreveport, positioning it as a leader in the field.
