A model to study liver disease caused by alcohol consumption
Official title: A human Liver-on-a-Chip model for studying alcohol-associated liver disease
Funded at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center · NIH-10752839 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is creating a special model that acts like a human liver to help us learn more about how alcohol can harm the liver, which could lead to better treatments for people dealing with alcohol-related liver issues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cedars-Sinai Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | September 11, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $438,375 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AA031173-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10752839 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from alcohol-associated liver disease or those at risk due to excessive alcohol consumption.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not consume alcohol or have liver disease unrelated to alcohol may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research develops a human Liver-on-a-Chip model to better understand alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD). By using a 3D in vitro system that mimics the liver's natural environment, the study aims to investigate the molecular mechanisms of ALD more effectively than traditional models. The model incorporates human liver cells and aims to explore how different cell types interact and contribute to liver damage caused by alcohol. This innovative approach could lead to more relevant findings for human health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of effective therapies for alcohol-associated liver disease.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using similar micro-physiological systems to study liver diseases, indicating potential for success in this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Seki, Ekihiro — Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Seki, Ekihiro
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.