First person – Yuchen Liu Free

Yuchen Liu

How would you explain the main findings of your paper in lay terms?

We meticulously tested the conditions for culturing hepatocyte organoids (HOs) and identified several optimal conditions for HO maturation. We discovered that completely removing growth factors and adding a suitable amount of triiodothyronine, which is a thyroid hormone, significantly enhances the hepatic maturation of these organoids. Additionally, considering the physiological relevance of HOs, we found that different functional assays may require specific culture conditions. Our findings could contribute to the development of in vitro assays for research and drug discovery, potentially reducing the use of animal models.

When doing the research, did you have a particular result or ‘eureka’ moment that has stuck with you?

Yes. When we discovered that the complete removal of growth factors is key for the maturation of hepatocytes in vitro, it felt like a 'eureka' moment. Initially, when planning the experiments, I did not expect the cells to survive without growth factors in long-term culture, but I actually observed a significant induction of metabolic genes without a reduction in cell survival after removal of growth factors. I realized that perhaps metabolic functions and cell growth are incompatible in hepatocytes, which is a phenomenon that was observed in liver regeneration a long time ago.

Why did you choose Journal of Cell Science for your paper?

We think Journal of Cell Science is a journal with a good reputation in the field of cell biology. The editors and reviewers are professional and responsible.

Have you had any significant mentors who have helped you beyond supervision in the lab? How was their guidance special?

My mentor, Dr Yingzi Yang, offered me great help in completing this study. She is knowledgeable and critical. She gave me many good pieces of advice and pointed out many potential issues. Although daily experiments contain many details, she always reminded me not to forget the ‘big picture' of a study.

What motivated you to pursue a career in science, and what have been the most interesting moments on the path that led you to where you are now?

My grandfather is a chemical engineer. When I was a child, he encouraged me to learn and perform some simple chemical experiments at home. Later, I enjoyed performing experiments in high school and college, and I was always the person to demonstrate the experiments in class. During that time, I also liked to write discussions on how to optimize experiments. I have received much positive feedback during my professional growth. That is why I chose to do research and pursue a career in science.

What's next for you?

I haven't decided whether to leave academia. But in recent years, I've found that trying to find a balance between work and life is not easy for me.

Tell us something interesting about yourself that wouldn't be on your CV

I'm an Arsenal fan, and I'm hoping they can win the Premier League next season.