Around one third (30%) of the population is affected by fatty liver disease (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, MASLD), making it the most common chronic liver condition. It involves the accumulation of excess fat in liver cells. This condition is a known risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a malignant liver tumor and one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Inflammation and fibrosis (scarring) significantly influence the disease’s progression. Liver macrophages – immune cells that regulate inflammatory responses – play a crucial role, as they can affect scar formation and tumor development. It is still not understood fully exactly how metabolic dysfunction, inflammation, and cancer development are linked in MASLD and HCC. Dr. Moritz Peiseler is using state-of-the-art techniques such as intravital microscopy, mouse models, and multi-omics analyses to identify novel therapeutic strategies and investigate the role these immune cells play.