Forever Young? Not with Forever Chemicals!

PFAS (per-and poly fluoroalkyl substances) are a group of approximately 10,000 chemicals. They are also named ‘forever chemicals’ as they are highly resistant to natural degradation and accumulate in the environment. PFAS are used in many everyday applications including cookware, food packaging, cosmetics and clothing. However, PFAS have also been found at extremely high levels in human blood and tissues. Some studies have linked them to various human diseases including cancer, obesity, and infertility. However, mechanisms that link PFAS to these diseases are still lacking. This project will focus on a potential role for cellular senescence. Cellular senescence is a type of cell-cycle arrest that occurs when cells get exposed to genomic or cellular stress. Importantly, senescent cells accumulate with human age and secrete inflammatory and tissue modifying molecules that contribute to numerous diseases including cancer, diabetes and dementia. This project will test the hypothesis that culturing human cells with PFAS induces cellular senescence. You will utilise a range of techniques to answer this including cell culture, RT-PCR, immunoblotting and microscopy. Students will need to find their own accommodation and be expected to present their findings orally at a research day in York on 08th September 2026.