Unravelling Organoid Heterogeneity and Drug Response with a Novel Foundation Model

EPSRC PhD Industrial Doctoral Landscape Awards (IDLA) studentship 

Supervisors:

• Professor Huiyu Zhou hz143@leicester.ac.uk
• Dr Artur Boronat

Project:

This research program focuses on the development of a foundation model, with an application to organoid models in preclinical and translational drug discovery. Unlike traditional two-dimensional cellular assays, organoid models are translatable, physiologically relevant, and robust. However, they are also inherently heterogeneous, poorly reproducible, and difficult to model and predict. To address these challenges, we will explore the use of modern deep learning-based foundation model that integrates morphological profiling with multi-omics analysis. This approach aims to enhance the utility of organoids in better predicting drug effects, elucidating deeper biological insights and mechanisms of actions (MoAs).

References: 

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