Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) is chronic cholestatic liver disease characterized by concentric and obliterative fibrosis of the bile ducts. Unfortunately, therapeutic options for PSC are currently limited and have largely failed to change the poor natural history of the disease.

Monocyte-derived cells were shown to be important for the pathologic process of cholangitis and sclerosis in PSC animal models. Yet, the mechanisms involved including the cellular interactions within this unique fibrotic niche are unknown. In collaboration with prof. Shalev Itzkovitz lab at the Weizmann institute of science, we take advantage of next-generation single cell spatial molecular profiling techniques and other state of the art RNA sequencing and imaging methods to uncover the molecular profiling of sclerosing cholangitis in a cellular level and inter-cellular levels. We believe that this research approach will uncover potential targets for novel therapeutic interventions for the benefit of PSC patients.