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From cardiovascular disease to cancer, in recent decades we have seen a significant reduction in the number of deaths from most major disease groups. However, deaths from liver disease are on the rise in the UK – increasing over 400% since 1970. This evening will travel from lab bench to clinic, discussing both how we study liver diseases and how they affect the population.
Liver Disease: Fibrosis and other F words
Dr Emma Shepherd
(Research Scientist in the Centre for Liver and Gastrointestinal Research, University of Birmingham)
Long term liver injury results in scar formation in a process known as fibrosis. A specialised population of fibroblast cells produce scar components as part of the wound healing process, in a similar way to the scars we see following skin damage. Emma will discuss the range of functions that the liver performs as wells as what happens when the liver is injured. She will also describe some of the ways that we research liver disease in a bid to discover new therapies.
A Baby Boomer’s Guide to Liver Disease…
Dr Andy Holt
(Consultant Physician at the Liver Unit in Birmingham)
Liver disease is much more common than people think, but isn’t talked about due to fear, stigma and general ignorance. Cirrhosis is the 4th most common cause of life years lost under the age of 75 in the UK, with deaths from liver disease increasing by 25% in less than 10 years, particularly in the baby boomer generation. This talk will show how your genes, environment, postcode and socioeconomic status predict your likelihood of developing cirrhosis and why we are seeing an increase in liver disease in the affluent western world. P.S. Andy promises to allow you to enjoy your pint..!
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