Renowned stem cell biologist to join ARMI

Professor Nadia Rosenthal, Director of the Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute (ARMI), today announced the appointment of Dr Tiziano Barberi to the position of Group Leader at the Institute.

“Dr Barberi is at the forefront of embryonic stem cell research”, said Prof Rosenthal.

“His achievements in directing stem cells to become skeletal muscle are outstanding”, she said.

Dr Barberi is currently an Assistant Professor at the Beckman Research Institute at the City of Hope comprehensive cancer centre in California.

He is responsible for new ways to direct the ‘cell fate’ of embryonic stem cells—transforming them into fat, bone, cartilage or muscle cells.

His research aims to develop new therapies to treat and prevent a range of degenerative illnesses. Specifically, Dr Barberi will continue his research into muscular dystrophy, as well as his neuroscience investigations—where he is examining methods to transform stem cells into retinal tissue.

Dr Barberi is also involved in research that aims to identify tumour-initiating cells and to develop new methods to make and study neural crest cells from embryonic stem cells. Neural crest cells are essential to forming adrenal glands, facial bone and peripheral nervous system cells.

“His addition to the ARMI team will significantly enhance our research into regenerative processes”, Prof Rosenthal said.

Dr Barberi will commence his new role in September 2009.

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