Han Moshage

Professor Han Moshage is Professor of Experimental Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Groningen, and works at the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG). His research focuses on liver diseases, particularly Metabolic dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD) and Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), with expertise in cell biology, biochemistry, and molecular mechanisms of liver injury.

Education:

• Studied chemistry at Radboud University of Nijmegen, specializing in Biochemistry (1983)
• PhD from Radboud University of Nijmegen (1987) with thesis: "Molecular regulation of fibrinogen and albumin synthesis in the liver during the acute phase response"
• Post-doctoral fellowship at Alcohol Research and Treatment Center of VA Medical Center/Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York

Professor Moshage's research primarily investigates the mechanisms of Metabolic dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD), focusing on lipotoxicity, cell death pathways, endoplasmic reticulum stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and the role of extracellular vesicles in disease progression. His work spans from basic molecular mechanisms to clinical applications, with particular interest in how lipid accumulation leads to inflammation, fibrosis, and cirrhosis. He employs both in vitro and in vivo models to study hepatocyte and non-parenchymal cell biology in liver disease.

His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on extracellular vesicles in liver disease pathogenesis, metabolic markers in liver cirrhosis, and natural compounds that protect against liver injury. The research spans molecular mechanisms of hepatic stellate cell activation, novel biomarkers for disease progression, and potential therapeutic interventions targeting cell death pathways and metabolic dysregulation in fatty liver disease.

Leadership and Service:

• Secretary of the Dutch Society of Hepatology (1997-2003)
• Member of Scientific Council of Dutch Digestive Diseases Foundation (1998-2005)
• Director of research master program Molecular Medicine and Innovative Treatment (2005-2013)
• Director of University of Groningen Research Institute GUIDE (2005-2012)
• Director of Graduate School of Medical Sciences (2009-2012)
• Chair of ZonMW-Veni starting career grant program for (bio)medical sciences
• Editorial board member for several international journals

Professor Moshage has supervised more than 25 PhD students and serves on multiple evaluation panels for funding agencies. He has established collaborations with institutions worldwide and leads a research team focused on liver cell biology and pathophysiology of fatty liver diseases. His laboratory investigates cellular mechanisms of liver injury and potential therapeutic targets for metabolic liver diseases.