John C. Martin Centre for Liver Research and Innovations (JCMLRI) is an institution established with the objective of carrying out innovative basic, clinical and public-health research with a focus on liver diseases, but encompassing all aspects of human health and disease. Established in 2018, JCMLRI is located in Sonarpur (about 20 km. from Kolkata), West Bengal, India, on the premises of the Indian Institute of Liver Diseases and Digestive Sciences (IILDS).  IILDS is a treatment, education and research institute in gastroenterology and liver diseases. This physical proximity of JCMLRI and IILDS, as well as their professional symbiosis, provides a perfect ambience for harmonized development of basic, clinical and public health sciences seeking solutions to improve human lives.  The Liver Foundation, West Bengal, a non-profit non-government organization with a focus on public health has developed both JCMLRI and IILDS that share ethos, culture and vision. JCMLRI has been established through a generous philanthropic donation. It is driven by a motivation and conviction of being self-sustaining in growth while maintaining flexibility as well as creativity. The Centre offers infrastructure for carrying out basic and translational research on liver diseases and allied health sciences using state-of-the-art technologies and innovative strategies.  The Centre has national and international collaborations in research and training; the spread of collaborations is expanding.


Vision:

To enhance knowledge and management of human health and disease, especially of liver disease, through innovative clinical and basic science research and translation.

Mission:

  • Use emerging and cutting-edge technologies and methods to innovatively conduct clinical and basic science research on liver and other organs for deeper understanding of human health and disease.
  • Co-localize global research initiatives on hepatological, gastrointestinal and other health sciences focusing on regional priorities.
  • Undertake relevant training programmes to enhance capacity for undertaking innovative research and translation on human disease, with special reference to diseases of the liver.
  • Participate in the formulation of policies pertaining to human health and disease, with special reference to diseases of the liver.
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Objective:

John C. Martin Centre for Liver Research and Innovations

The goal of this Centre is to conduct research on biology of the liver and other related organs and biological systems that will provide a deeper understanding of diseases of the liver. Translation of the enhanced basic understanding will, in turn, provide more precise diagnosis, treatment and overall management of liver diseases. Innovative concepts and methodologies will be introduced and used to enhance our understanding of physiological and disease phenomena, especially when these phenomena are complex and deeply embedded in its context.

The Centre has four pillars:

  • Basic Research on Disease Biology: The focus will be to carry out fundamental research on the biology of the liver and related organs, using humans, experimental animals and cell lines. The thrust will be to apply innovative concepts and methods to gain deeper knowledge of the biology of organs and systems in order to pave the route to translation of the knowledge for control of diseases of the liver.
  • Clinical Research: The clinical manifestations of a disease are usually heterogeneous. Unless a deep comprehension of these manifestations is obtained, the disease will remain incompletely understood. The focus will be to enable complete understanding of the diversity of clinical manifestations of diseases of the liver and other relevant organs. In addition, efforts directed at pharmacological innovations and drug development will be a priority.
  • Translational Research and Applications: The focus will be to translate available knowledge and knowledge acquired by basic research scientists of the Centre to improve diagnosis, treatment and management of diseases of the liver.
  • Public-health Research: All aspects of public-health research, including health protection, improvement, management and policy will be undertaken, with a particular focus on diseases of the liver. Research on heath ethics, equity and law will also be undertaken.
  • Capacity Building: Research in modern disease biology has become very inter-disciplinary. The Centre will conduct courses and workshops on various relevant aspects of research and translational methodologies, especially those innovative concepts methodologies – experimental, clinical and data-analytical – that are of potential relevance to biomedical research.