After spending two years at the world-leading centre for the study of PSC at the University of Oslo, Antonio recently returned to the University of Gothenburg and the Institute of Medicine. He is now a fellow at the Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine (WCMTM).
Developing his research group – and recruiting new team members
“I am happy to be back in Gothenburg to develop my research group and deepen the translational aspects of my work, combining molecular research in the lab with following the patients in the clinic,” he says.
Antonio is currently recruiting a doctoral student to join his research group, which includes PhD students at the university as well as clinical research staff at Sahlgrenska University Hospital.
Block disease progression
His research primarily focuses on rare liver diseases such as PSC, defined as conditions affecting fewer than 5–10,000 people.
“PSC creates a vicious cycle—patients undergo liver transplantation due to PSC, but the disease often recurs even after the transplant in the new organ. There is no effective treatment yet, so my goal is to understand the underlying mechanisms, identify ways to block disease progression, and improve quality of life for patients.”
PSC is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation and scarring (fibrosis) of the bile ducts, leading to altered bile flow (cholestasis) and eventually cirrhosis. The disease predominantly affects young men and is strongly associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Screening for cancer and understanding patient habits
Current projects in his research include investigating optimal strategies for cancer screening in PSC, such as testing with different imaging methods in randomized controlled trials.
“We are also interested in patient habits and quality of life, studying factors such as alcohol consumption, food preferences, and nutrients deficiencies linked to the disease,” Antonio explains.
He is also participating in Sweden’s largest PSC clinical study, which involves hundreds of patients randomized to receive a drug or placebo. These studies include translational experiments to evaluate treatment efficacy.
Strong research environment
“The strong research environment, close connections with the hospital, and opportunities to collaborate across faculties and with industry make Gothenburg truly unique. I look forward to advancing our studies together with my colleagues and contributing to a vibrant life sciences community locally and nationally,” he concludes.
