Biomedical - Liver Diseases - Laboratory

The Basic Research Unit at the John C. Martin Centre for Liver Research and Innovations (JCMLRI), located in Sonarpur, Kolkata, serves as the scientific engine of the Institute. Its mission is dedicated to unraveling the complex molecular architecture of diseases affecting the liver, bile ducts, and gastrointestinal tract.

By bridging the critical "bench-to-bedside" gap, the Unit transforms fundamental scientific inquiry into tangible clinical applications. Its research portfolio encompasses a broad spectrum of pathologies, including Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD), cirrhosis, inflammatory bowel disease, viral hepatitis, and diverse gastrointestinal and hepato-biliary malignancies.

To support this mission, the department maintains an elite infrastructure of state-of-the-art laboratories. These facilities are equipped with a sophisticated array of technologies—from 10x Chromium iX single-cell genomics and BD FACS Aria III flow cytometry to Leica confocal microscopy and Luminex multi-analyte profiling. This integrated technological ecosystem enables investigators to dissect the fundamental cellular mechanisms of disease pathophysiology, ultimately aiming to enhance diagnostic precision and personalize therapeutic interventions.

• Clinical Epidemiology & Population Health (Prof. Abhijit Chowdhury): A renowned hepatologist and clinician-scientist, Prof. Chowdhury focuses on the convergence of clinical practice and basic science. He is globally recognized for pioneering the description of "lean/non-obese fatty liver disease," now a major international research priority. His work centers on population-based epidemiology, particularly regarding infections and MASLD. He established the Birbhum Health and Demographic Surveillance System, a vital longitudinal cohort (since 2008) that informs large-scale liver health strategies and hepatitis elimination efforts.
• Hepatology & Fibrosis (Prof. Amal K. Santra): As the founding Director of JCMLRI, Prof. Santra leads investigations into the fundamental mechanisms of hepatic fibrosis. His laboratory explores the intricate interplay between oxidative stress and liver cell damage, with a specific focus on the pathophysiology of Drug-Induced Liver Injury (DILI). Utilizing advanced cell biology, the lab maps the crosstalk between hepatocytes, stellate cells, and immune cells to identify the cascades that drive fibrogenesis.
• Genetics & Population Genomics (Prof. Partha P. Majumder): A pioneer in statistical and population genetics, Prof. Majumder focuses on the genetic epidemiology of non-communicable diseases. His current work applies genomic frameworks to understand the susceptibility and progression of liver diseases within diverse populations, providing a macro-level view of disease risk.
• Single-Cell Genomics & Metabolic Deregulation (Dr. Ankita Chatterjee): This lab specializes in the genomic alterations underlying complex disorders such as Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) and MASLD. Dr. Chatterjee utilizes cutting-edge single-cell genomics to achieve a high-resolution understanding of metabolic deregulations in hepatitis patients, pinpointing cellular-level changes that traditional bulk sequencing might overlook.
• Cell Biology & Therapeutic Targets (Dr. Debashree Bishnu): Focusing on the liver microenvironment, Dr. Bishnu’s lab investigates the dynamic interactions between liver cells and their surroundings. Through sophisticated in-vitro modeling, immune-phenotyping, and deep functionalization studies, the lab works to translate basic cellular discoveries into innovative diagnostics and novel therapeutic targets to improve long-term patient outcomes.