A £15.9 million national initiative has been launched to transform the use of human-based research models, with the goal of deepening scientific understanding of disease and accelerating the development of new medicines.
The programme, funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC), Wellcome and Innovate UK, will support the creation of advanced, reproducible human in vitro models and make them broadly accessible to researchers across academia and industry.
In vitro models use isolated cells and tissues maintained outside the human body. They include stem-cell-derived organoids, ex vivo tissue slices removed during surgery, and organ-on-chip systems that integrate microfluidics to mimic organ function. These models are increasingly viewed as promising alternatives that can reduce reliance on animal studies, in line with the government strategy Replacing animals in science: a strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods.
Five-team research network
The funding will support a coordinated network of interdisciplinary teams developing in vitro disease models focused on the liver, brain, cancer, pain and blood vessels.
MIMIC (Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease)
A multi-organ platform to model MASLD, also known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, will be developed under the leadership of Professor Amir Ghaemmaghami at the University of Nottingham. MASLD affects one in five people in the UK and is influenced by genetics, metabolism, inflammation and cross-organ communication. Current research models, including animal systems, struggle to reproduce this complexity.
Professor Ghaemmaghami said:
“The project will harness cutting-edge stem cell and organ-on-chip technologies to build interconnected models of the gut, liver, and adipose tissue, key players in MASLD progression.”
He added that by using blood cells from “well-characterised male and female MASLD patients with diverse ethnicities,” the team will generate patient-specific stem cells to “create personalised, patient-specific tissue models, offering unprecedented insight into how MASLD develops and progresses, including the critical transition to liver fibrosis.”
Edinburgh Human Brain Cluster
Led by Professor Paul Brennan at the University of Edinburgh, this project will study live human brain slice models obtained during surgical procedures. One in six people in the UK live with a neurological condition, and the team aims to generate rare insights into human brain function and disease mechanisms.
INTREPID (Cancer Explant Models)
Professor Catrin Pritchard at the University of Leicester will lead efforts to expand the use of live human tumour explant models—tissue removed during cancer surgery—to better reflect tumour complexity and patient diversity.
Advanced human in vitro models of pain
A team led by Professor Zameel Cader at the University of Oxford will develop human-derived models of neuropathic and osteoarthritis pain. Chronic pain remains a major global health challenge, and current models capture only limited aspects of pain biology.
ARTEMIS (Artificial Blood Vessels)
At the University of Hull, Dr Simon Calaminus will create scalable artificial blood vessels designed to accurately replicate human circulation. Cardiovascular disease accounts for a third of global mortality, with most deaths linked to blood clots. The models aim to support the identification of safer, more effective drug candidates.
National leadership and impact
Professor Patrick Chinnery, MRC Executive Chair, said:
“We’re delighted to announce £15.9 million investment to advance human modelling research. This funding supports the government’s ‘Replacing animals in science – a strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods’, unveiled today, and is a major step forward in our commitment to developing innovative, non-animal methods. Human in vitro models enable the investigation of disease mechanisms whilst minimising the use of animals. This will accelerate our ability to diagnose illnesses early, develop new treatments, and prevent disease.”
Dr Michael Dunn, Director of Discovery Research at Wellcome, said:
“These novel human in vitro models will help accelerate discovery research by enabling better understanding of fundamental human physiology and disease. We’re pleased to partner with UKRI MRC and Innovate UK to support the development and uptake of these exciting models, which can potentially underpin the development of new and better treatments for a range of diseases.”
Tom Adeyoola, Innovate UK Executive Chair, said:
“We’re backing scalable human tissue models so companies can get involved early, help shape the technology, and position themselves for global markets. It means better science, less animal testing and real commercial opportunities down the line. That’s exactly why Innovate UK is supporting it.”
The initiative emphasises strategic coordination across the newly funded network and stronger links with wider UK scientific capabilities, including industry partners. The funding was delivered in partnership with the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research.
