Cirrhosis is a progressive liver disease characterized by the scarring of liver tissue, which prevents the organ from functioning properly. This scarring is often caused by long-term liver damage from conditions such as chronic alcohol consumption, viral hepatitis, or fatty liver disease. Cirrhosis can lead to serious complications such as liver failure, portal hypertension, and an increased risk of liver cancer. Research in this area focuses on understanding the underlying causes of cirrhosis, developing treatments to slow or reverse liver damage, and improving the management of complications associated with the disease.