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Francesca Saffioti

Francesca Saffioti

  1. How did you become interested in translational gastroenterology and hepatology? 

My interest and passion about translational research started at an early stage, as a projection of my overall passion about Hepatology, during my specialist training. It became more prominent over the subsequent years, during my fellowships and, in particular, in the context of my PhD studies in Clinical and Surgical Biotechnologies, when I focussed on non-invasive markers of liver fibrosis, portal hypertension, and prognostication (including early detection of cancer) in patients with cholestatic and autoimmune liver disease. Throughout my years of training and development as a researcher I became increasingly inspired by the tangible impact and benefits that translational research can bring to patient care.  This has been and continues to be extremely motivating for me. 

  1. What are you currently working on and what importance does your work hold for current patients with liver issues? 

Since my appointment at OUH, I have led on a number of hepatology clinical studies locally, whilst I continue to collaborate with various important international research groups. I have a particular interest in autoimmune, cholestatic, metabolic liver disease, liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension and, over the recent years I have been fortunate to be part of important scientific outputs in these fields.  

I am currently leading on projects assessing the role of spleen stiffness in the risk stratification of patients with cirrhosis and in patients with primary biliary cholangitis. Furthermore, I am principal investigator and co-investigator in several commercial and academic clinical trials investigating novel pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments for patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), alcohol-related liver disease, cholestatic liver disease and liver cirrhosis.  This is all exciting work, which I believe carries potential for significant impact on the overall management of patients with chronic liver diseases, from risk stratification to treatment. 

Meanwhile, my imminent direction of research encompasses a) liver fibrogenesis, b) the immunological pathways linking hepatic dysfunction to fibrosis, particularly in MASLD, autoimmune and cholestatic liver diseases, and c) non-invasive markers of fibrosis, cancer and disease progression. 

  1. What do you enjoy most about scientific research? 

I really enjoy the whole process, from developing ideas and formulating hypotheses, to analysing data, as well as witing up and publishing the results. I value the continuous stimulus to keep myself up to date and the inherent constant learning. I enjoy the privileged excitement derived from new findings, as well as the interactive and collaborative nature of this work. In this context, I have the opportunity to meet and collaborate with amazing people, and sometimes even develop deep friendships. From the overall process I have undoubtedly gained personal growth, as a scientist and as a person.  

  1. What’s the best part of being an Oxford University TGLU member? 

Being part of the TGLU of a continuously top ranked medical university in the world makes me extremely proud.  

The collaboration between enthusiastic and motivated world-class clinicians and scientists with different backgrounds and a wide range of expertise is the best part of it. 

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