Understanding Genetic Changes in Liver Cells and Chronic Liver Disease
Official title: Elucidating chronic liver disease pathways using somatic genetics
Funded at Ut Southwestern Medical Center · NIH-11184312 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project explores how small genetic changes that naturally happen in our liver cells might influence chronic liver disease and its progression.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $754,400 |
| NIH project number | 5DP1DK139976-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11184312 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with chronic liver disease, particularly those at risk of or experiencing progression to cirrhosis, could benefit from future treatments developed from this fundamental understanding.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without chronic liver disease or those whose condition is not related to the genetic mechanisms being studied may not directly benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
Chronic liver disease is a widespread condition, and we currently lack effective treatments to slow its progression to severe scarring, known as cirrhosis. This research focuses on the idea that our body tissues, including the liver, gather many small genetic changes, called somatic mutations, over time and with injury. Scientists believe these mutations could offer clues into how liver disease develops and worsens. The project uses advanced genetic screening methods to find out which of these mutations have the biggest impact, with some early findings suggesting certain mutations might even help the liver regenerate or prevent metabolic disease. The goal is to discover if cells can select for mutations that actually improve, rather than worsen, conditions like fatty liver disease or cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new therapies that slow or stop the progression of chronic liver disease to cirrhosis by targeting specific genetic changes.
How similar studies have gone: While the concept of somatic mutations is known, the idea that some mutations might ameliorate disease and the high-throughput genetic screens used here represent a novel and relatively untested approach in this specific context.
Where this research is happening
-
Ut Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhu, Hao — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Zhu, Hao
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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.