EASTBIO: Generating novel stem cell-based tools towards increasing the efficiency of meat production from livestock at the University of Edinburgh

Supervisors:  Dr Xavier Donadeu, Dr Emily Clark.

In-vitromeat production is an emerging area of research which aims to address some of the most pressing issues associated with sustainable food-animal farming. A key factor hindering progress is the lack of robust cell lines for large-scale generation of meat-like products. This project will aim to address this by exploring the relative ability of different cell types, namely muscle stem cells and induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs), to robustly grow and generate the different components of bovine meat, muscle and fat, in-vitro. It will also provide valuable mechanistic information on muscle development in cattle by identifying and characterizing specific muscle progenitor cell populations and how their differentiation is regulated.  The project will utilize our developed expertise in muscle stem cells (Front vet Sci 2020, 7:558905; Cell Reprogramming. 2018; 20(5):275) as well as the ready availability of cattle stem cell lines in the laboratory.

Specific objectives will be: 

1. To develop protocols for isolation and in-vitro expansion of bona-fide myogenic and adipogenic precursors from bovine muscle and fat. Cells will be isolated based on specific immuno-phenotypes, and the relative ability of derived clonal populations to differentiate into myogenic, adipogenic and fibrogenic lineages will be established.

1. To develop protocols for robust differentiation of bovine iPSCs into functional muscle and fat, using optimised procedures for differentiation of human/rodent iPSCs (Development 2017;144(12):2104).

1. To compare the characteristics of muscle and adipose tissues produced using each of the two strategies above, through molecular profiling and functional testing to establish relative tissue maturity and functional capacity.

These experiments will generate valuable cell lines and know-how that can be later taken forward towards specific in vitro meat applications. They will also provide a unique in-vitro model for developing and testing strategies to increase the efficiency of meat production in cattle.  

The project will benefit from the supervisors’ significant combined expertise in muscle development/stem cells/livestock genomics, as well as unique expertise in iPSCs from Roslin Technologies, the industrial partner in the project. The student will acquire a solid understanding of those areas, and will become proficient in stem cell isolation/culture/manipulation, and a variety of laboratory techniques for gene/protein analyses (RNA-seq/RT-PCR, immunochemistry/western blotting). In addition, through the placement with the industrial partner, the student will acquire a solid understanding of industry including project management, business strategy and finance. We envision the valuable industrial experience acquired in the project will significantly increase employability of a successful PhD graduate. 

This 4 year PhD project is part of a competition funded by EASTBIO BBSRC Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) http://www.eastscotbiodtp.ac.uk/how-apply-0 .

EASTBIO Application and Reference Forms can be downloaded via   http://www.eastscotbiodtp.ac.uk/how-apply-0

Please send your completed EASTBIO Application Form along with a copy of your academic transcripts to [email protected]

You should also ensure that two references have been send to [email protected]  by the deadline using the EASTBIO Reference Form.

This opportunity is open to UK and international students and provides funding covering stipend and UK level tuition fees.  The University of Edinburgh covers the difference between home and international fees meaning that the EASTBIO DTP offers fully-funded studentships to all appointees.  There is a cap on the number of international students the DTP recruits.  It is therefore important for us to know from the outset which fees status category applicants will fall under when applying to our university.

Please refer to UKRI websiteand Annex B of the UKRI Training Grant Terms and Conditionsfor full eligibility criteria.