Research profile and key clinical specialties

David Jones is Professor of Liver Immunology at Newcastle University and the PI for the UK-PBC Research Consortium developing stratified therapies in autoimmune liver disease.

His work has led to the first stratified therapy to reach practice in rare liver disease. He also has an interest in the quality of life of patients with autoimmune liver disease and the mechanisms underpinning key symptoms. This work has led to novel therapies.

He is an Honorary Consultant Hepatologist in the Newcastle-upon-Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Professor Jones is also NIHR Dean for Faculty Trainees, assisting NIHR and universities in the leadership training and career management of all trainees funded through NIHR Integrated Academic Training Schemes and NIHR Personal Awards Schemes.

Two key publications

• Carbone M, Mells G, Pells G, Dawas MF, Newton JL, Heneghan M, Neuberger JM, Day D, Ducker SJ, UK-PBC Research Consortium, Sandford R, Alexander G, Jones DEJ. Sex and age are determinants of the clinical phenotype of primary biliary cirrhosis and response to ursodeoxycholic acid. Gastronterology 2013: 144:560-569
• Nevens F, Andreone P, Mazzella G, Strasser S, Bowlus C, Invernizzi P, Drenth J, Pockros P, Regula J, Beuers U, Trauner M, Jones DEJ, Floreani A, Hohenester S, Luketic V, Shiffman M, van Erpecum K, Vargas V, Vincent C, Hirschfield GM, Shah H, Hansen B, Lindor KD, Marschall H-U, Hooshmand-Rad R, Marmon T, Sheeron S, Pencek R, MacConell L, Pruzanski M, Shapiro D for the POISE Study Group*. Obeticholic Acid in Primary Biliary Cholangitis / Cirrhosis: A Phase 3 Trial. N Engl J Med 2016 375:631-643

Possible PhD projects

• Molecular mechanisms in the pathogenesis of brain injury in high risk PBC: Understanding symptoms and targeting treatment.
• ‘Suicide pact, not murder’. The role played by target cells in driving their own injury in autoimmunity.

More information

David has directed 1 of the 4 national Wellcome Trust Translational Medicine and Therapeutics Clinical PhD programmes.

Keywords: Liver, brain, immunology, autoimmune, disease, cirrhosis, ursodeoxycholic, Gastroenterology, David, Jones, Newcastle

Related