In the UK alone, 500 000 people are infected with Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and still, most of the patients are not diagnosed. Therefore, HCV infection is a major cause of liver transplantation there. A few years ago, scientists have found monoclonal antibodies which gave hope for the acquisition of an effective vaccine. Now, the first results of the testing of vaccines based on adenoviral vectors have occurred. Read full text »

Scientific research on supercomputer simulations of cytochrome P450 has been published in the Biophysical Journal. The article describes a virtual presentation of the actual activity of the enzyme. Simulation was performed to better understand the detoxifying role of the cytochrome P450 and facilitate further studies. Read full text »

The European Union through the 7th Framework Programme is funding the project ODHIN designed to increase the activity of the family physicians in the delivery of health care interventions for the hazardous and harmful alcohol drinking patients. The project began in January 2011, it will end in December 2014. Nineteen partners from 9 European countries are taking part in the project. Poland is represented by 3 institutions. Read full text »

During the last year’s meeting of The American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases(1) (AASLD) the innovative technique of bioscaffolding has been presented. On the basis of this novelty scientists managed to produce a fully functional liver ­ a hybrid of animal and human cells. This is the next important step in regenerative medicine. Read full text »