Gut microbiome and the gut-liver axis - a lecture by Dr Kate Coldwell MRSB
An exclusive event for RSB members about the links between the gut microbiome, gut health, and liver diseases
Details
When? Wednesday 17 September 2025, 12:30 to 13:30
Members Only This is a members-only event
CPD Approved This event is approved for CPD
A lecture on the links between the gut microbiome, gut health, and liver diseases
Talk outline
The ‘gut-liver axis' describes the mutual interactions between the organs, the gut microbiome and environmental factors. The gut is the semi-permissive barrier between the gut microbiome and many other of the body's systems. The liver is in the unique position of being the first site to receive the nutrient-rich blood from the digestive system. Equally, the liver is responsible for many digestive functions in the gut and metabolism of nutrients.
There is a spectrum of diseases characterised by a breakdown in reciprocal interactions between the liver, gut and microbiome.
The links between gut health and liver diseases will be discussed, with a particular focus on recent research highlights, and potential therapeutic approaches.
Opportunities to collaborate with the Oxford Centre for Microbiome Studies (OCMS) will be discussed. OCMS is an interdisciplinary hub of human microbiome research expertise.
About our speaker
Dr Kate Coldwell, PGCE MRSB was educated in Australia where she earned a doctorate from La Trobe University in Melbourne in cancer biology and drug-DNA interactions. Kate's research has included cancer biomarkers and umbilical cord blood stem cell-based therapies.
Kate had a 10-year career break from research where she was a secondary school science teacher and continues to work as a freelance education consultant. Kate is fascinated by how the gut microbiome affects health and disease and pursued a Daphne Jackson Research Fellowship to return to research following her career break.
In 2024 Kate was awarded a Daphne Jackson Research Fellowship funded by the Medical Research Council and the Kennedy Trust for Rheumatology Research. She is based at the Oxford Centre for Microbiome Studies at the University of Oxford. Her research focuses on how the gut-liver axis influences the rare liver disease primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). The DYNAMHIX in PSC is the first longitudinal microbiome study of PSC focusing on the dynamics of the gut microbiome in PSC.
Chair
This webinar will be chaired by Professor Nigel L Brown OBE CBiol FRSB, past President of the Microbiology Society.
Who should attend?
This talk would be of interest to scientists, students, and those interested in the links between the gut microbiome and health.
Cost and booking
This event is free to attend and exclusively for RSB members (including paid membership applications awaiting election on 1 October). Spaces are limited so advance registration is essential through the link at the top of the page.
Special requirements
If you have accessibility requirements, please let us know during your booking using the additional information options, and we will do what we can to accommodate your needs.
Continuing Professional Development
This event is approved by the Royal Society of Biology for the purposes of CPD and can be counted as 3 CPD points.
Contact
For event, booking and website queries, please contact Lucy Eckersley at events@rsb.org.uk or on 020 3925 3445.Code of Conduct
By its Royal Charter, the Royal Society of Biology (RSB) has the powers to promote, establish and support standards of professional skill and conduct. The RSB is committed to ensuring equal opportunities in the life sciences, and supports diversity throughout the pipeline. We proactively promote a culture of inclusivity within our discipline and the broader STEM community. It is vital at any RSB event or meeting, that everyone attending is free from any form of harassment or discrimination, feels comfortable and safe, and has the opportunity for an enjoyable experience.