This site derives from the work of Professor Nagy Habib. It deals with three approaches to human disease, largely of the liver.

In the clinical section are given the various main forms of liver disease, with particular emphasis on cirrhosis, liver cancer and  Hepatitis C infections.  in which Professor Habib has a special interest. In an academic section are detailed some of the underlying mechanisms of liver disease and the variety of approaches to treatment that Professor Habib in involved with In the commercial section are given outlines of the various spin out companies that have been established by Professor Habib and his associates to drive forward the academic research into clinical practice. These companies are associated with a non-profit making hub called the Waguiha Ramses Foundation 

The main purpose of the web site is to provide information to those with an interest in liver disease either because they are patients or their carers or because the topic is part of their research interests or simply because they are interested in the human condition of which the liver and its diseases is a part. As far as possible the text has been made suitable for lay readers who are prepared as necessary to use either the glossary or the 'Answers' web site. In the text as far as possible any technical words have either been defined or hyperlinked  either to  the in-site glossary or to www.Answers.com. For additional convenience the Answers link  with a vacant search button is included at the bottom of the first page of this introduction. . 

Professor Habib is by training and inclination a surgeon but he is not committed solely to surgical practice and believes profoundly that exercise of clinical practice should wherever possible be conservative and associated with the maintenance of a good quality of life for those with liver disease. He has been responsible for innovative discoveries in relation to gene therapy for those with liver cancer. Working with molecular biological collaborators he has made major contributions to our understanding of the genetic dysregulation that can be found in liver cancers. He is deeply engaged in the possible use of gene therapy to remedy various protein deficiencies that arise in patients with cirrhosis of the  liver, particularly lack of albumin and thrombopoietin. He is determined to invent new means of vaccinating against HepC a virus that causes a particularly nasty form of hepatitis. He has derived and driven into the clinic a number of innovations in surgical practice both in terms of the technology of surgical approaches and the use of implements designed to operate with minimal blood loss. Professor Habib also believes strongly that one of the best ways to ensure technology transfer is to involve the commercial sector wherever possible. As will be seen his contemporary pattern of research includes concern with tissue engineering often involving liver stem cells that are either in short supply or for some reason not functioning properly in those many degenerative liver diseases that can lead to cirrhosis and sometimes tumors of the liver. 

updated 23/02/2007