Evaluation of expanded human hepatocytes
Our group has developed a novel culture medium that reprograms PHHs into a proliferative precursor state, generating precursors of chemically expanded hepatocytes (pre-cHep). These cells can undergo ~20 population doublings (~1 million-fold expansion) in 30 days while retaining liver repopulation capacity following transplantation into immunocompromised mice—the gold standard for functional hepatocyte validation, unlike any other previously reported PHH alternatives. Upon in vitro differentiation, chemically expanded hepatocytes (cHep) exhibit mature hepatocyte characteristics, including ALBUMIN secretion and induction of CYP1A2, CYP3A4, and CYP2B6, closely resembling PHHs in 3D culture. Thus, pre-cHep/cHep offer an unprecedented opportunity to produce scalable, reproducible, and cost-effective human hepatocytes for toxicology, ADME applications and disease modelling.
We seek partners who can evaluate the usefulness of pre-cHep/cHep in industrial settings.
The work is unpublished, and a patent application was filed in January 2025.
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The University of Edinburgh is a comprehensive, research‑intensive public university in Scotland’s capital. Industry engages through co‑located facilities and innovation hubs that bring companies into the university ecosystem, including the Bayes Centre for data and AI and the Usher Institute at the Edinburgh BioQuarter. Integration with NHS Lothian at BioQuarter places hospital care, clinics and university research on a single site to speed clinical studies and translation. Research is supported by competitive UK government funding via UKRI and Innovate UK, alongside major charitable funders such as Wellcome. A dedicated technology transfer company, Edinburgh Innovations, streamlines access to expertise, IP management, licensing and venture creation.
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