The Functional Genomics Group is pioneering the study of genetic and epigenetic determinants of fibrosis and its progression. With a focus on liver fibrosis—a condition contributing to 45% of all deaths in developed nations—the group is advancing global understanding of tissue scarring, its genetic underpinnings, and translational applications for patient care.
The group’s discoveries have broad implications, from improving early diagnosis and treatment of liver fibrosis to developing targeted therapies that address genetic and epigenetic risk factors. The team’s research holds promise not only for managing liver disease, which affects 6 million Australians, but also for addressing systemic tissue scarring across multiple organ systems.
By unraveling the genetic architecture of fibrosis and translating these insights into clinical practice, the group aims to reduce the burden of fibrosis-related diseases and improve outcomes for millions worldwide.
Key Research Areas
- Liver Fibrosis Genetics and Epigenetics: The group is leading world-first research into the genetic and epigenetic factors influencing fibrosis progression, uncovering the role of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), copy number variations (CNVs), and epigenetic mechanisms in tissue scarring.
- Interferon Lambda 3 (IFNL3): Identified IFNL3 as a driver of liver damage, paving the way for personalized medicine targeting IFNL3 in liver fibrosis and other scarring-related diseases.
- Translational Tools and Diagnostics: Developed Fibrogene, a diagnostic tool integrating genetic discoveries with clinical variables to non-invasively predict liver fibrosis severity, accessible through an online calculator.
- Precision Therapeutics: Exploring novel therapeutic targets, including the MERTK receptor tyrosine kinase and exportin 4, for preventing and treating liver fibrosis and related cancers.
- Expanding into Systemic Fibrosis: Investigating the genetic mechanisms of scarring in other organs, including the heart, lungs, and kidneys, with the goal of developing cross-organ therapies.
Recent Achievements
- Professor Mohammed Eslam awarded $1.2 million for Leveraging human genetics to inform treatment in fatty liver disease – NHMRC Investigator Grants
- Published groundbreaking research in Nature Genetics, demonstrating the role of IFNL3 in liver disease progression.
- Coordinated an international liver fibrosis genetics consortium spanning 30 academic centers across 10 countries, analyzing thousands of patients to uncover genetic risk factors.
- Identified lean non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) subtypes and characterized their genetic drivers, contributing to personalized management strategies.
- Transitioned genetic discoveries into actionable clinical tools, bridging the gap between research and bedside care.
Group Members
Members
- Mohammed Alorabi
- Mingqian Jiang