Advanced visualisation and nano-scale characterisation of exposure (ADVANCE)

Seeing the invisible: how plastics enter human tissues
Microscopic section of liver tissue

Advanced visualisation and nano-scale characterisation of exposure (ADVANCE)

Seeing the invisible: how plastics enter human tissues
Title: ADvanced Visualisation And Nano-scale Characterisation of Exposure (ADVANCE)
University of Plymouth Co-Is: Professor Shilpa Chokshi , Dr Nathaniel Clark
 

Overview

Micro- and nanoplastics are increasingly found in human organs, including the liver. However, a critical barrier to understanding their health impact is our inability to reliably see these particles inside human tissues. Unlike metal-based nanoparticles, whose cellular trafficking and clearance are well understood, nanoplastics remain effectively invisible under most analytical systems.
This project will develop the first multimodal, label-free nanoscale imaging workflow to visualise plastic particles in human liver models. By integrating advanced imaging methods with spatial biology approaches, this research will map when, where and how micro- and nanoplastics interact with liver cells, allowing us to understand their biological significance and potential contribution to liver disease.

Objectives

To establish a multimodal, nanoscale detection and spatial localisation platform for micro- and nanoplastics within human liver models through these steps:
  1. Develop a high-resolution, label-free imaging pipeline integrating synchrotron-based techniques with O-PTIR and hyperspectral imaging to detect plastics at sub-micron resolution.
  2. Map the subcellular localisation of micro- and nanoplastics in precision-cut human liver slices and hepatic organoids.
  3. Characterise the nano-bio interface, including intracellular transformations and trafficking pathways.

We've shown that plastic pollution can infiltrate the food chain – now we need to understand what happens when it reaches us. To do that, we must be able to find these particles, track where they go, and uncover what they do in the body.

Nathaniel ClarkDr Nathaniel Clark
Lecturer in Physiology

Context of the issue

This project establishes the first unified nanoscale detection platform for plastics in human tissues. By revealing when, where and how plastic particles enter liver cells, this work provides foundational data to understand the biological consequences of environmental plastic exposure and supports emerging disease frameworks such as plastic-induced liver injury.
This research will position the University of Plymouth and the Centre for Environmental Hepatology as international leaders in nanoscale plastic toxicology, imaging and mechanistic liver disease research.
Macrophage containing nanoplastics
A macrophage containing nanoplastics in membrane-bound vesicles
 
 
 

Centre of Environmental Hepatology

The Centre of Environmental Hepatology (CEH) brings together scientists, clinicians and environmental researchers to generate mechanistic, clinically grounded evidence that can inform prevention, improve patient outcomes, and support policies that reduce harmful exposures. 
Our mission is to transform understanding of liver health in a changing world and to ensure that research translates into meaningful impact for patients, communities, and future generations. 
 
Mammal tissue under a microscope

International Marine Litter Research Unit

Marine litter is a global environmental problem with items of debris now contaminating habitats from the poles to the equator, from the sea surface to the deep sea. 
Furthering our understanding of litter on the environment and defining solutions.
 
Plastic litter washed up on beach with tree