UCSF Liver Center

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT – UCSF LIVER CENTER The Liver Center at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) is an interdisciplinary consortium of 56 basic and clinical scientists dedicated to understanding liver biology and contributing new knowledge about the pathophysiology and treatment of liver diseases. The mission of the Center is “to enable scientific discovery and exchange to improve the lives of patients with liver disease”. The Center membership is nearly evenly split between basic and clinical/translational scientists: 50% are women and 59% are practicing physicians. The composition of the Liver Center is constantly evolving, with 46% of its research base being new since 2017 and 26% of the base comprising Assistant Professors or equivalent junior scientists. The research being conducted in the Center is grouped into three themes: Liver Injury & Immunology, which includes scientists who study specific viral, toxic and autoimmune disorders as well as investigators who explore fundamental principles in liver immune responses and fibrosis; Liver Metabolism & Organ Cross-Talk, which features members who concentrate on metabolism in the liver and organs that interact with the liver and thereby impact liver health; and Liver Regeneration & Clinical Transplantation, which comprises researchers whose interests revolve around liver cell and organ growth, ranging from homeostasis to cancer to transplantation. The overarching goal of the Liver Center is to facilitate significant progress in basic and clinical liver research. The Center will accomplish this goal by supporting four Biomedical Research Cores: (1) the Liver Cell Isolation, Analysis & Immunology Core, (2) the Liver Tissue Analysis Core, (3) a new Liver Gene Analysis Core and (4) the Patient-Facing Research Core. In addition, the Center’s Enrichment Program will foster a vibrant community of liver researchers to stimulate exchange of knowledge and ideas through seminars by visiting scientists, mini- symposia highlighting specific member constituencies and an annual symposium featuring the progress of the entire membership. All of these programs will focus on diversity and showcase young scientists who are emerging leaders in the field. Throughout the year the Center’s Administrative Core will maintain member connections and inform of new developments through newsletters and a comprehensive website. To sustain a trajectory of growth in liver research, the Center will develop promising new investigators using several means. Its Pilot & Feasibility Grant Program will provide seed money and mentorship to junior investigators and scientists new to liver research; its Enrichment Program will also contribute by hosting career development workshops and by enlisting senior faculty to conduct pre-submission review and critique of grant proposals. Lastly, the new California DDRCC Network has created a platform to showcase early-stage investigators and encourage state-wide networking. The numerous activities of the Liver Center could not be possible without strong support from the UCSF leadership and NIDDK. With their backing, the Liver Center can succeed in its mission to foster innovation and collaboration among its members as they pursue advances in liver research.