Message from Prof. Massimo PINZANI

After many years of career in Hepatology, I often realize how much I have received, both as a person and as a scientist, from my international colleagues. I feel indeed very lucky to be part of one of the first generations of hepatologists “sans frontieres” (i.e. without borders, in French) and to have contributed to develop this discipline at a global level. In this context, my Japanese colleagues and particularly Prof. Norifumi Kawada, now Chairmen of the Department of Hepatology at the Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, and his co-workers have provided an excellent and consistent example of long term collaboration and friendship. Prof. Kawada’s laboratory is one the most representative international source of knowledge on liver fibrosis and more in general cellular and molecular mechanisms of chronic liver diseases. I have visited Prof. Kawada’s in several occasions and I have always been impressed by the strength, motivation and enthusiasm that he can transfer to his co-workers. We are planning to strengthen our collaborative efforts in the near future and organize an exchange training program in clinical and basic Hepatology.

To conclude, I am very happy that Prof. Kawada’s laboratory is now recognized as a centre of excellence in liver research in Osaka and Japan and that this star now shines more than ever in the universe of Hepatology.

Prof. Massimo Pinzani