Unit 3.3 - miRNA in Liver Regeneration

Objectives

Our scientific vision is to achieve treatment of end-stage liver diseases, through interdisciplinary collaborations among REBIRTH research groups. The identification of novel cues that enable generation, expansion and proliferation of hepatocytes hold immense potential for the treatment of end stage liver diseases. Specifically, we are investigating novel regulatory molecules such as microRNAs (miRNAs) and transcription factors in liver regeneration and hepatocyte differentiation using novel cell and molecular biology techniques.

Research Focus

Compelling evidence from mouse liver regeneration and serial transplantation studies strongly indicates that adult hepatocytes retain the ability to proliferate in vivo. We seek to understand hepatocyte proliferation at the molecular level with a specific focus on miRNAs. We aim to harness the potential of miRNAs and transcription factors for improving hepatocyte proliferation in vivo and in vitro. Another focus of our research group is to improve hepatocyte differentiation from stem cells sources using miRNAs as modulator of hepatocyte differentiation.

Collaborations

Awards

  • A. Sharma, poster award at the “17th HILF symposium MHH” 2011. 
  • S. Möbus, poster award at the “MicroRNAs Europe & Single Molecule Biology Europe-Meeting” 2012. 
  • A. Sharma, grant award from “Gilead Sciences Research Scholars Program in liver diseases” 2013.

Teaching

  • Lecturer in the Regenerative Medicine PhD program.

Equipment and Service Facilities

[Please find a list of all available equipment here]

Staff

Sharma, Amar Deep Dr. Sharma.Amar(at)mh-hannover.de
Möbus, Selina, PhD-Student Moebus.Selina(at)mh-hannover.de
Yang, Dakai, PhD-Student Yang.Dakai(at)mh-hannover.de
Song, Guangqi, PhD-Student Song.Guangqi(at)mh-hannover.de
Tsay, Jessica, PhD-Student Tsay.Jessica(at)mh-hannover.de
Farid, Marwa, PhD-Student Farid.Marwa(at)mh-hannover.de
Dai, Zhen, PhD-Student Dai.Zhen(at)mh-hannover.de