Welcome to Palma Lab
Exploring mitochondria
to advance liver research
A translational research group investigating how mitochondrial plasticity, morphology, and dynamics shape cellular adaptation and maladaptation in liver health and disease.
What
Mapping Mitochondrial Morphology
We map mitochondrial shape, size, and organisation in human liver tissue to understand how organelle remodelling contributes to SLD, ALD, and cholangiocarcinoma.
How
Human ex vivo models
Developing patient-derived organotypic liver models and advanced imaging approaches to investigate mitochondrial plasticity directly in human tissue.
Why
Translational liver research
Bridging fundamental mitochondrial biology with clinically relevant human models to advance therapies for liver disease and cancer.
Who
Collaborative Team
A multidisciplinary team fostering openness, transparency, respect, strong work ethics, and shared ownership to drive rigorous and creative research.
Research
Our Projects
Ethanol driven mitochondrial remodelling
How ethanol reshapes mitochondrial architecture in hepatocytes in steatotic liver disease.
Human hepatic models to study mitochondria
Developing complex human models to investigate mitochondrial morphology and megamitochondria in the liver.
Organotypic platforms for preclinical drug testing
Advancing organotypic liver models to evaluate novel therapeutic strategies for steatotic liver disease and liver cancer.
Mitochondrial plasticity and organelle biology
Deciphering the fundamental principles governing mitochondrial plasticity in response to cellular signalling and metabolic stress.
Upcoming
Events
23–26
May
2026
The Liver Sinusoid Meeting 2026
Tarragona, Spain
27–30
May
2026
EASL Congress 2026
Barcelona, Spain
20–22
Sep
2026
FEBS Advanced Course 2026
Spetses, Greece
Join Us
Work with us
We welcome talented individuals at all career stages. PhD studentships, postdoctoral fellowships, and clinical research positions available.
See opportunities →PhD Studentships
Funded positions available
Postdoctoral - Application to King or FLR Fellowship
Apply via the King's Prize Fellowship scheme or FLR emerging leader scheme
Postdoctoral - Own Fellowship
Apply with your own fellowship
Clinical Research Fellows
MD/PhD integrated programmes
Collaborators
Industry & academic partnerships