An integrative approach to understanding the mechanobiology of liver regeneration     

The liver has a unique ability to regenerate, however in cases of chronic liver disease this regenerative capacity is overwhelmed. Currently the only effective treatment is liver transplantation; nevertheless demand for donor organs greatly outstrips supply. During regeneration, hepatocytes (the primary functional hepatic cells) proliferate to restore liver mass, however we lack ways of accelerating this process for treatment. In this project, we will apply cutting edge computer simulation techniques to study how changes in hepatic blood flow regulate liver regeneration. This will pave the way for the development of new therapies to augment regeneration of the patient’s own liver.