Advanced Liver Diseases - Patrick S. Kamath

Advanced Liver Diseases Study Group

The mission of the Advanced Liver Diseases Study Group is to become the premier epidemiology, clinical, translational research, and treatment center for advanced liver diseases, cirrhosis, and portal hypertension in the world. Additionally, the mission is to mentor and educate clinician investigators in the field of hepatology.

The activities of the Advanced Liver Diseases Study Group span from population-based research that utilizes the extensive resources of the Rochester Epidemiology Project to vascular endothelial pathophysiology. Additional research areas include the development of novel diagnostic tools, the conduct of therapeutic clinical trials, and health services research including economic analysis and health-related quality of life assessment.

The group is part of the Hepatic Vascular Biology and Function Lab and Hepatocellular Carcinoma Lab programs as a major initiative involves collaboration with scientists to establish translational research.

1. Understand the molecular and physiological mechanisms involved in cirrhosis and portal hypertension.
2. Understand the mechanisms that underlie cirrhosis and portal hypertension by integrating basic science and clinical research programs.
3. Develop and validate non-invasive diagnostic tools to evaluate and quantitate severity of liver fibrosis and portal hypertension.
4. Develop and test new treatment options for patients with cirrhosis, esophageal varices, ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, hepatocellular carcinoma, hepatorenal syndrome, hepatopulmonary syndrome, portopulmonary hypertension, alcoholic hepatitis, acute liver failure, Budd-Chiari syndrome, hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, and polycystic liver disease.
5. Educate gastroenterology trainees, surgical trainees and postdoctoral fellows in the field of hepatology.
6. Educate patients, practicing physicians, and investigators on advanced liver disease including cirrhosis and portal hypertension.