Liver & Digestive Health

The availability of patient cohorts combined with research expertise in metabolism, immunity, epidemiology, surgery and microbiology allows us to integrate different perspectives on complex interactions between genetics and environment leading to pathologies.

NUTRIM research area 2, aims to provide novel insight into the pathophysiological processes of the gut and liver and translate these findings to the clinic. The division researches various disorders including inflammatory bowel disease, liver failure, irritable bowel syndrome, cancer cachexia, cholestasis and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.

The main research focus lies within liver and digestive health and particularly on the complex interaction between host genetics, diet, lifestyle and the microbiome. We also aim to extrapolate research findings to related organ systems such as the cardiovascular or central nervous system. In addition, it examines inter-organ crosstalk (e.g. gut-brain axis) as well as the role of microbiome on host physiology and different pathologies.

The close collaboration between epidemiologists, geneticists, basic scientists and clinicians as well as the proximity of the MUMC and Maastricht University strongly serve this division’s goal to perform translational research aiming to improve the diagnosis and therapy of the patient in the clinic. Our division generates novel approaches for the diagnosis (biomarkers) and treatment of gut-liver disorders.