Shutterstock image of cells

A key feature of our experimental medicine approach is the development of unique cell/ tissue models to study and understand differences between health and disease to help drive new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

We have gained a strong reputation for the development of experimental models that support the replacement, refinement and reduction of animals in research (3Rs agenda) facilitating a wide range of collaborations with external partners in academia, industry and beyond to deliver ground breaking research and innovation.

This research is supported by significant grant funding, including from BBSRC, NERC, NC3R and Hadwen Trust.

Technologies ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ“ cell lines, tissue models and associated methods for culturing, propagation and maintenance

Expertise ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ“ technical competence in working with cell/tissue models and applying them to support and deliver research

Collaboration ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ“ opportunities to work with our researchers and utilise our technologies and expertise

Licensing ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ“ use of our cell / tissue models in your own R&D and innovation programmes (Note: not available for all our models)

Services/contract research ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ“ commission specific projects/work to be carried out in our state-of-the-art laboratories using our technology and expertise

Our technologies

  • Primary brain tumour cell lines ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ“ Professor Oliver Hanemann ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ“ development of personalised and stratified medicine approaches, biomarker discovery and drug testing
  • Neural stem cells and cancer cell lines (Drosophila / human cell cultures) ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ“ Dr Claudia Barros ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ“ brain development and regulation in health and disease
  • Dental cell models / stem cells ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ“ Professor Bing Hu ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ“ development and treatment of oral cancer, dental disease and oral health
  • Skin tissue models ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ“ Professor Bing Hu ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ“ development, treatment and prevention of skin cancer and disease. Testing of cosmetics
  • Primary lung macrophage cells ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ“ Professor Simon Jackson ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ“ models / sensors for the effect of environmental pollutants and pathogens on human health


  • 3D cell culture models ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ“ Professor Simon Jackson ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ“ toxicity testing (with Professor Awadesh Jha)
  • Oral mucosal 3D tissue models ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ“ Dr Vehid Salih ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ“ oral disease development mechanisms, treatment and diagnostics
  • Alveolar macrophage cell lines (mouse) ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ“ Dr Gyuri Fejer ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ“ in vitro models for inflammation / lung disease ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ“ use in drug development / screening



Contact us

For more information about our unique cell models and expertise please contact PSMDresearch@plymouth.ac.uk or follow the links to specific areas of interest