During her PhD, Ewelina Pych investigated the expression and regulation of bitter taste receptors in the liver. Although these receptors are classically associated with detecting bitter compounds in the oral cavity, their presence in extra-oral tissues has linked them to metabolic homeostasis. Using both pig and mouse models, she examined how metabolic stressors such as a high-fat diet and cholesterol depletion affect receptor expression. The work demonstrated that cholesterol accumulation can repress these receptors, while low intracellular cholesterol leads to their upregulation.

These findings highlight a previously unrecognized role of bitter taste receptors as sensors of hepatic cholesterol status, contributing to metabolic balance. This knowledge may support future strategies aimed at more targeted or personalized interventions for metabolic disorders.

The PhD study was completed at Department of Food Science, Faculty of Technical Sciences, Aarhus University.

This summary was prepared by the PhD student.

Time: Monday, 26 January 2026 at 13:00.
Place: Building Agro Food Park 48, room 5910-214, Department of Food Science, Aarhus University, Agro Food Park, 8200.
Title of PhD thesis: Beyond the tongue: Extra-oral expression and regulation of bitter taste receptors
Contact information: Ewelina Pych, e-mail: ewelinapych@food.au.dk, tel.: +45 71449298
Members of the assessment committee:
Professor Antonella Di Pizio, Department of Molecular Life Sciences at the School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Germany
Professor Inge Depoortere, Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium
Professor Marianne Hammershøj (chair), Department of Food Science, Aarhus University, Denmark
Main supervisor: Associate Professor Martin Krøyer Rasmussen, Department of Food Science, Aarhus University, Denmark
Co-supervisor: Professor Milena Corredig, Department of Food Science, Aarhus University, Denmark
Language: The PhD dissertation will be defended in English

The defence is public.
The PhD thesis is available for reading at the Graduate School of Technical Sciences/GSTS, Ny Munkegade 120, building 1521, 8000 Aarhus C.