Tissue communication in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NALFD) and liver fibrosis

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  Research Project Leader
  Dr Magdalene Montgomery

  magdalene.montgomery@unimelb.edu.au

  View researcher's webpage

  +61 422 059 907

Project Details

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver condition in developed countries and affects 20-40% of the Australian population. NAFLD exists in two general forms: simple hepatic steatosis and NASH. Simple steatosis is characterised by hepatic triglyceride accumulation with negligible inflammation and hepatocyte injury. NASH is the more severe form of NAFLD, and in addition to excess lipid accumulation, NASH patients may demonstrate marked inflammation, lobular ballooning and varying degrees of fibrosis. The later stages of NASH are characterised by increased fibrosis, which is associated with increased risk of developing life-threatening diseases including cirrhosis (i.e. accumulation of fibrous ‘scar’ tissue) and hepatocellular carcinoma. The pathogenesis of NAFLD in general is associated with insulin resistance, liver inflammation and apoptosis.

Our laboratory is interested in defining the interplay between NAFLD/NASH and metabolic defects, including insulin resistance. This project includes the investigation of secreted factors by mass spectrometry with subsequent target identification, and protein or gene therapy approaches in mouse models of obesity, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

Research Opportunities

This research project is available to Honours students to join as part of their thesis.
Please contact the Research Group Leader to discuss your options.

Research Publications

View Dr Montgomery's latest PubMed publications listing here