Researchers from the EDC-MASLD project presented new findings at the SETAC Europe 36th Annual Meeting. The meeting took place from 17 to 21 May 2026 in Maastricht, the Netherlands.
Project PI Prof. Jorke Kamstra and Roeland Jackson (PhD student) from Utrecht University represented EDC-MASLD at the international meeting. Their contributions highlighted ongoing research into the relationship between environmental chemical exposure and steatotic liver disease.
Investigating liver steatosis in zebrafish
Roeland Jackson, a PhD student working on EDC-MASLD, delivered a presentation on 18 May on “Evaluating Steatosis Induction by Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals in a Zebrafish Larval Model”.
Roeland presented findings on how chemical exposure can influence liver steatosis during early zebrafish larval development. The results showed that exposure to certain chemicals may affect liver steatosis or biological markers associated with lipid homeostasis.
Further molecular analyses will help identify the mechanisms involved. They will also support a better understanding of how endocrine-disrupting chemicals may contribute to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.
Integrated evidence on environmental drivers
Jorke Kamstra participated in the meeting as both a session chair and presenter. On 21 May, he delivered a presentation titled “Uncovering Environmental Drivers of Steatotic Liver Disease Through Integrated Human and Experimental Evidence”.
The presentation research investigates how environmental exposures may contribute to the development of steatotic liver disease. The work combines evidence from human studies and experimental models. This integrated approach can help researchers understand how chemical exposures interact with biological processes involved in liver disease.
The two presentations offered complementary perspectives on the environmental drivers of liver disease. They also demonstrated the value of combining human evidence with experimental models.
Congratulations to Jorke, Roeland and the Utrecht University team for representing EDC-MASLD at SETAC Europe 2026.
