Get to know Professor Ian Copple
“Our vision is for the Human Liver Research Facility to become completely animal-free, to reduce the use of animals in research and further improve the human relevance of research being conducted in the Facility”
Professor Ian Copple – University of Liverpool
Foetal calf serum (FCS) is commonly used in labs to support cell growth, but its mix of proteins, hormones and other components can vary between batches and affect experimental results. The process of obtaining FCS, a by-product of the meat industry, raises significant ethical concerns, especially since an estimated 1-2 million calf foetuses are used annually to produce it.
Professor Ian Copple from the Human Liver Research Institute, University of Liverpool, is working to change this by testing how patient-derived liver cells can grow in different conditions that don’t contain FCS.
This is a step towards reducing the global reliance on animal products in cell-based research, leading us towards to a more ethical and sustainable future for science.
What inspired you to become a scientist? Was there a moment or person who sparked your interest?
I actually loved sport and started an undergraduate course in Physical Education, but quickly realised it was the science aspect that interested me the most, so I switched course and never looked back!
What are the aims of your research?
My group studies how cells (particularly liver cells) sense and respond to different forms of stress caused by medicines, chemicals and environmental agents. We are very interested in how this influences the beneficial and adverse effects of medicines.
Why is animal-free research important to you and what impact could your work have on replacing animals in experiments?
I lead the Human Liver Research Facility based at the University of Liverpool. We enable researchers to access human liver tissue and cells for their experiments, but this often requires the use of animal derived materials for culturing cells and keeping them alive outside of the body. Our vision is for the Facility to become completely animal-free, as this will reduce the use of animals in research and further improve the human relevance of research being conducted in the Facility.
How has funding from Animal Free Research UK helped to support your work?
Transition Grant funding is helping us to optimise the replacement of animal derived materials that are traditionally used to culture human liver cells in the lab following isolation from patients.
”Our goal is to make a real difference to as many patients as possible.
What are your future aims/career goals?
My group’s research aims to enhance the treatment of patients in several disease settings by improving the effectiveness of drugs while reducing their toxic side effects. Our goal is to make a real difference to as many patients as possible.
What has been your biggest achievement/what are you most proud of so far?
Supervising PhD students and seeing them develop into professional scientists over the 3-4 years of their projects.
What do you like to do outside of the lab?
I’m a member of a local running club and run 4-5 times per week.
If you weren’t a scientist, what do you think you’d be doing instead?
Possibly a sports coach or teacher. Or maybe a police detective!
