Biomarkers on liver diseases by omics

Multidisciplinary expertise in MASLD/MASH pathogenesis; non-invasive biomarker discovery and validation; longitudinal clinical phenotyping; human biospecimens; proteomics/transcriptomics; in vitro and ex vivo models; and translational data integration. The Unit links liver histology and tissue biology with circulating biomarkers and metabolic phenotypes and has participated in EU projects involving AI-enabled risk prediction and biobanking.

FIF maintains a continuously expanding cohort of approximately 400 adults with severe obesity and biopsy-proven MASLD undergoing bariatric surgery. Baseline resources include liver tissue, visceral adipose tissue, plasma/serum and detailed anthropometric, biochemical, histological and ultrasound data.

Longitudinal clinical data and matched plasma samples are available at 6 and 12 months after surgery for follow-up participants, providing an intervention-response framework for predictive biomarker research. Baseline histology allows stratification by MASH activity and fibrosis severity.

FIF can evaluate four preselected circulating protein candidates and/or generate new longitudinal plasma proteomics to identify baseline predictors and dynamic biomarkers associated with metabolic and liver response. Candidate identities can be shared during consortium development under appropriate confidentiality.

Biomarker discovery, verification and validation; targeted circulating-protein assays; development of multiplex protein detection with qPCR readout; discovery and targeted proteomics; molecular and cellular biology; liver and adipose tissue analyses; in vitro/ex vivo/organoid models; longitudinal clinical and biochemical analysis; omics integration and multivariable modelling; biobanking and sample processing; communication and dissemination.