A Special Interview with Prof. Ralf Weiskirchen--Engaging Dialogue between Ralf Weiskirchen and Prof. Amedeo Lonardo

On April 26, 2024, M&TOD hosted a dynamic interview session featuring Prof. Ralf Weiskirchen, a leading authority in liver disease research. Prof. Amedeo Lonardo guided the discussion, delving into the latest findings and focal points in the field.

Prof. Weiskirchen passionately discussed the protective role of Perilipin 5 in NAFLD and HCC, highlighting its impact on lipid metabolism and inflammation in the liver. The discussion sparked debate on the interplay between MASLD and metabolic diseases like diabetes and hypertension, shedding light on treatment implications.

Additionally, as a newly joined Editorial Board member of M&TOD, Prof. Weiskirchen examined the pros and cons of compensating reviewers. Considering the journal's standing in Scopus and the significance of PubMed, he provided succinct recommendations for the future development of the journal, igniting discussions on enhancing impact and expanding outreach.

Questions for this interview:

1. As a distinguished expert in the field of liver diseases, could you please share your latest research findings and discuss the current research hotspots in this field?

2. Your research on the deletion of Perilipin 5 suggests protective effects against nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Could you explain how Perilipin 5 modulates lipid metabolism and inflammatory responses in the liver, and how these mechanisms contribute to its protective role?

3. How do you perceive the relationship between MASLD and other metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and hypertension? How do you think these associations influence our understanding and treatment of fatty liver disease?

4. As an Editorial Board member of our journal, do you believe it is appropriate for our journal to offer remuneration to reviewers? Do you think providing compensation to reviewers would be beneficial or detrimental to the peer review process?

5. Our journal is currently indexed in Scopus and has passed the initial evaluation for ESCI. Do you have any suggestions for further development or improvement of our journal?

Personal Introduction:

Prof. Weiskirchen leads the Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy, and Clinical Chemistry (IFMPEGKC) at the RWTH University Hospital Aachen, Germany. His primary research revolves around investigating the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/bone morphogenic protein (BMP) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) signaling pathways in fibrogenic liver diseases. Through national and international collaborations, Prof. Weiskirchen endeavors to elucidate molecular disease mechanisms and translate these insights into clinical applications. With over 480 publications and more than 19,000 citations, Prof. Weiskirchen continues to contribute significantly to the field of liver disease.

Editor: Jennifer Lee
Language Editor: Catherine Yang
Production Editor: Yan Zhang
Respectfully Submitted by the Editorial Office of Metabolism and Target Organ Damage