Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in liver fibrosis in diabetes

As diabetes continues to rise globally, the risk of developing chronic diabetic complications greatly increases. Among these complications, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a serious liver disease that can contribute to major scarring of the liver and this may ultimately lead to liver failure. To develop a better understanding of the processes involved in the advancement of NAFLD, I will focus on the ‘epigenetic’ phenomena, which will specifically look into the roles of a special group of RNA molecules called long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). LncRNAs have been shown to control many important processes in cancer and heart disease, however their involvement in NAFLD is not entirely defined. Therefore, the expected outcomes of the project will be to first determine how lncRNAs are involved in the liver scarring process in diabetes, and then I will investigate whether blocking specific lncRNAs can prevent liver disease in diabetes.

Faculty Supervisor:

Subrata Chakrabarti

Student:

Partner:

The University of Hong Kong

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Health and Related Sciences & Technology; Pharmaceuticals; Life Sciences (not health)

University:

Western University

Program: