In this line, the main objective is to develop and improve human liver cell models in vitro so that they maintain a differentiated adult phenotype and show a pathophysiological response similar to that observed in vivo.
The main objective of this line is to investigate the molecular mechanisms of drug hepatotoxicity. These studies are a very valuable aid in the preclinical stages of the development of new drugs, as well as to elucidate hepatic adverse reactions to drugs already on the market. They are also essential for finding new biomarkers (microRNAs, metabolites) to, for example, predict steatosis or cholestasis, which are two of the most frequent manifestations of drug-induced liver injury.
The main objective of this line is to better understand, from a molecular point of view, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. This disease has pandemic overtones as it affects a high percentage of our population. The difficulty lies in the fact that it is a multifactorial disease, with diverse and incompletely understood aetiological mechanisms. The group is mainly investigating transcriptional causal mechanisms. We are also interested in the specific pathways leading to metabolic steatosis and steatosis caused by xenobiotics, such as drugs. From basic knowledge we hope to find predictive and diagnostic biomarkers that allow better management of this disease.
The results of the basic research carried out by the group are always analysed from multiple angles with the aim of seeking their clinical application. Within this more translational facet of our research, our main objectives are to develop new diagnostic, monitoring and clinical prognostic procedures for drug-induced liver injury. This research involves setting up several clinical trials to validate the proposed procedures. Another priority objective is to obtain induced stem cells from patients with various liver diseases for their correction and subsequent use in cell therapy. In this same context, the group has also pioneered human hepatocyte transplants as an alternative to orthotopic organ transplantation.
