The Children’s Liver Fund has funded the following research projects:

• Identification of the causative disease gene(s) for the inherited paediatric liver diseases asphyxiating thoracic dystrophy (ATD)
  (Dr Jane Hartley, Clinical Research Fellow)
• Conjugated Bilirubin Study
  (Dr Mark Viant)
• Development of rapid microarray-based genetic diagnosis in children presenting with liver disease
  (Dr Paul Gissen, GSK Clinical Scientist)
• Faecal calprotectin as a non-invasive marker of rejection following liver and bowel transplantation
  (Dr Girish Gupte, Consultantl)

Our most recently completed research application:

Neuro-physiological impact of deprivation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in infants with liver disease before and after liver transplantation (Dr Sue Beath, Consultant Paediatric Hepatologist). Click here to view the report.

New Gene Identified

The Liver Unit and the Molecular Genetic research team at the University of Birmingham have found a number of defective genes which cause inherited liver disease.

The research team worked for genetic clues to these diseases by identifying more than twenty possible genes in each condition, eventually pinpointing the defective gene. This allows us to counsel families about future children and also to find out ways of treating these fatal disorders.

We hope that understanding these genetic mechanisms will help us understand more common liver conditions, such as biliary atresia.

Brain development after transplant

Dr Sue Beath together with colleagues from Aston University led by Dr Joel Talcott will be undertaking a new and exciting project to look at how children’s brain develop after liver transplantation with the aim to develop analytic methods for establishing the relationship between fatty acid levels (specifically the ones concentrated in brain tissue which are collectively known as polyunsaturated fatty acids or PUFAs) by measuring the fatty acids in blood at the same time as measuring brain metabolites derived from PUFAs by magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). The research will also assess the relationship between the fatty acid levels and brain function using magneto-encephalography MEG. This project has been co-funded by the Children’s Liver Fund and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

Education

Postgraduate conferences
Courses are held bi-annually, in Birmingham, to bring together specialists from all over the world to present and discuss their work in the field of liver, gastroenterology and nutrition. The Children’s Liver Fund helps support the meeting which raises awareness of new findings in the mechanisms of liver disease.

The Children's Liver Fund welcomes research applications from anyone affected by liver disease in the UK.

How to apply for funds

Individual:
Funding to attend conferences/courses

click here to download application form

Families:

Click here for more information

Research Projects:

click here to download application form

For more information, email: research@childrensliverfund.co.uk