From patients, for patients: developing organoids to advance chronic liver disease treatments

The problem. In the absence of approved treatments, Metabolic dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) - a chronic condition affecting 1 in 3 adults worldwide, remains a major unmet clinical need. Moreover, the financial burden to the NHS is around £10 billion per year. Patients with MASLD accumulate fat droplets within the main cells of the liver (hepatocytes). This can lead to liver cell dysfunction resulting in tissue inflammation, fibrosis and eventually cirrhosis, and even liver cancer. Liver models ‘in-a-dish’ – which mimic the human liver organ in the body - could help accelerate drug discovery and development to treat MASLD. Yet, the lack of understanding of how the disease is established and progresses has resulted in an ad hoc approach in the selection of human-relevant cellular systems when modelling MASLD biology; an approach that hampers bench-to-bedside translational research in MASLD. 

Scope. In collaboration with Professor Jonathan Fallowfield (CMVM), Dr Leonard J Nelson and Dr Gareth Sullivan (Occam Biosciences Ltd), this project will create a systematic framework for developing liver organoids that more accurately mimic and elucidate the progression of MASLD. By employing a multidisciplinary approach, the project will identify the most effective disease induction strategies to model the clinical manifestations of MASLD. We will validate these laboratory models by comparing them to patients’ biopsies and testing them with potential anti-fibrotic drugs. The obtained system is set to enhance both drug and disease biomarker discovery for MASLD therapeutics.

Research environment. This PhD project offers an exceptional opportunity to engage with leading experts in bio-engineering and hepatology at the University of Edinburgh. Development and analyses of MASLD in vitro models will be carried out at the Institute for BioEngineering, equipped with state-of-the-art experimental facilities (tissue culture labs, flow cytometry, microscopy, and microfluidic platforms). Collaborative support from specialist research centers will enhance capacities in cell metabolism, drug toxicology, and regenerative medicine. The PhD candidate will receive training in microfluidics, computational methods in biostatistics, and experimental techniques such as organoid culture and single-cell analysis. Through the 2-month collaborative industry placement at Occam Biosciences Ltd, the candidate will also acquire commercial insights and regulatory expertise, ensuring a comprehensive educational and professional experience.

The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality.

https://eng.ed.ac.uk/research/institutes/ibioe https://regeneration-repair.ed.ac.uk/ https://halt-ronin.com/excellence/ 

Minimum entry qualification - an Honours degree at 2:1 or above (or International equivalent) in a relevant science or engineering discipline, possibly supported by an MSc Degree. Further information on English language requirements for EU/Overseas applicants.

UK students or EU students with settled/pre-settled status who also have 3 years residency in the UK/EEA/Gibraltar/Switzerland immediately before the start of your Programme are eligible to apply.

Applications must be submitted online through the University’s online application system (EUCLID) via the 'Apply Now' link. Please specify you are applying for the MRS-funded PhD Studentship with Principal Supervisor: Dr Lucia Bandiera.

Your application should include a covering letter explaining your motivation for applying for this PhD project, a full Curriculum Vitae and the names and contact details (including email addresses) of at least two academic referees.

Please note, your application may be shared with the funders of this PhD Studentship, Medical Research Scotland and Occam Biosciences Ltd.

Interviews are expected to take place 6 weeks after the closing date for applications.

It is anticipated that the PhD Studentship will start 7 October 2025.

Tuition fees + stipend are available for applicants who qualify as Home applicants (International/Overseas applicants are not eligible)

Home Students:

To qualify as a Home student, you must fulfil one of the following criteria:

•You are a UK student

•You are an EU student with settled/pre-settled status who also has 3 years residency in the UK/EEA/Gibraltar/Switzerland immediately before the start of your Programme. (International students not eligible.)

Further information and other funding options.