Popov Lab
About the Popov Laboratory
The major research focus of the Popov Lab is liver fibrosis/cirrhosis. Specifically, we are investigating the basic mechanisms of progression and regression of liver scarring. Under the direction of Yury Popov, MD, PhD, our goal is the development of non-invasive diagnostic tools to measure these processes in the clinic, and novel therapies to prevent and reverse cirrhosis and its life-threatening complications. We are actively working on the development, validation, and optimization of small animal models for novel drug target discovery and efficacy testing. Some of our current basic research projects include the investigation of a novel macrophage-mediated pathway of fibrosis reversal, and elucidating the molecular mechanisms of fibrotic matrix stabilization and collagen cross-linking which make liver scarring irreversible.