Research

Research Priorities: Molecular virology and pathogenesis of hepatitis C and E, virus-host interactions

Darius Moradpour is a Swiss internal medicine as well as gastroenterology and hepatology specialist focussing on the study of the liver. He has significantly contributed to our understanding of the replication cycles of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and the hepatitis E virus (HEV) as well as their interactions with the host.

Darius Moradpour has significantly contributed to our understanding of the replication cycle of the hepatitis C virus (HCV), especially the viral and cellular determinants required for the formation of a functional replication complex as well as interactions of HCV with cellular proteins and functional pathways. HCV infection is one of the most common causes of chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and HCC worldwide. Major progress has been made in this area in recent years, especially with the development of highly effective and well tolerated oral combination therapies which now allow to cure virtually all patients.

More recently, Darius Moradpour has launched a successful multidisciplinary research program on hepatitis E, including basic research, diagnostic testing, molecular epidemiology and clinical management. Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is one of the most common causes of acute hepatitis and jaundice in the world. HEV genotypes 1 and 2 cause primarily waterborne outbreaks in resource-limited settings while genotypes 3 and 4 have emerged as porcine zoonosis in middle- and high-income areas. HEV genotype 3, the predominant viral genotype circulating in Europe, can trigger acute-on-chronic liver failure, cause extrahepatic manifestations including neurological complications, and may persist in immunocompromised individuals, causing chronic hepatitis with potential rapid progression to liver cirrhosis. Important aspects of the HEV life cycle and pathogenesis remain to be explored.

Over the last two decades, research around the hepatitis viruses has revealed crucial discoveries in the areas of molecular and cell biology, immunology and microbiology. Darius Moradpour has made important contributions to viral hepatitis research.

Werdegang

• since 2009 Chief, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
• since 2006 Full Professor, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
• since 2004 Chief of Hepatology, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
• 2004 Adjunct Professor, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
• 2002-2003 Visiting Professor, Rockefeller University, New York City, USA
• 1999 Habilitation, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
• 1999-2004 Staff Physician, Department of Medicine II, University Hospital Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
• 1996-1999 Fellow in Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine II, University Hospital Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
• 1993-1995 Postdoctoral Fellow, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
• 1989-1992 Resident in Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
• 1989 Medical Doctorate, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland

Funktionen

• 2022-2024 Member, Scientific Advisory Committee, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
• since 2021 Associate Editor, Hepatology
• 2017-2018 President, Scientific Committee and of the Annual Congresses, Swiss Society of Gastroenterology, Swiss Society of Visceral Surgery and Swiss Association for the Study of the Liver, Switzerland
• since 2016 Member, Scientific Advisory Board, German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Braunschweig, Germany
• 2011-2016 President, Swiss Association for the Study of the Liver, Switzerland
• 2008-2011 Member, Governing Board, European Association for the Study of the Liver
• 2006-2011 Chairman, Scientific Committee, Swiss Hepatitis C Cohort Study, Switzerland
• 2014-2019 Associate Editor, Journal of Hepatology
• 2001-2006 Associate Editor, Hepatology

Auszeichnungen und Mitgliedschaften

• since 2014 Member, German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, Germany
• 2012 Doctor honoris causa, Université de Lyon, Lyon, France
• 2009 Prize of Honor, Swiss Society for Gastroenterology, Switzerland
• 2008 Prix Cloëtta, Prof. Dr. Max Cloëtta Foundation, Zurich, Switzerland
• 2006 Prix Leenaards, Leenaards Foundation, Lausanne, Switzerland