RESEARCHER PROFILE
Assoc Professor Cedric Bardy, SAHMRI (2023)
Director of The Laboratory for Human Neurophysiology, Genetics & Stem Cells
South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) &
Professor, Flinders University
Adelaide, South Australia
Filmed November 2023
Associate Professor Cedric Bardy is the Director of The Laboratory for Human Neurophysiology, Genetics & Stem Cells, located at SAHMRI. South Australia.
His current research uses preclinical, patient-derived cell models to test innovative therapeutic strategies, with a current focus on Parkinson’s disease, brain cancer and childhood dementia (Sanfilippo syndrome).
His work has established a platform to facilitate the discovery and validation of treatments for brain disorders. Their research is at the frontier of human cellular neuroscience research and translational applications that benefit global public health.
In particular, Cedric is the inventor of BrainPhys; a neuronal medium broadly used to culture human neurons in vitro, commercialised by STEMCELL Technologies.
The ability to grow human brain cells in a petri dish opens up new possibilities for research and discovery in neuroscience.
The BrainPhys medium allows human brain cells to function as they would in the adult human brain, revolutionizing research in labs across the world.
Cedric Bardy’s research enables researchers to study human brain disorders in a more physiological context, potentially leading to new treatments for brain cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and Sanfilippo Syndrome.
Cedric Bardy’s international journey from France to Canada to Australia and then to the United States showcases the global nature of scientific research and collaboration.
The passion for neuroscience stems from the fact that everything we care about as humans is influenced by brain activity.
Cedric Bardy is passionate about finding ways to treat the brain when things go wrong, showing a deep commitment to neurological research.
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In his father’s footsteps as a kidney transplant specialist
Since he was a young child, Dr Collins, has been interested in kidney failure and kidney transplants in particular. His father was also a kidney specialist, and he used to sit by the phone when his father, was on call and ringing people who were being offered a kidney transplant. The joy in their voices through this interaction created a lasting and profound impact on Dr Collins. This carried through his career and today he continues to seek better outcomes for Kidney patients.
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Biomarkers for early sepsis detection
Dr Gabrielle Briggs is a biomedical scientist dedicated to finding smarter, faster ways to diagnose and treat life threatening complications in critically ill patients. Dr Briggs established a research laboratory embedded within the John Hunter Hospital – one of the busiest major trauma centres in NSW. Dr Briggs works alongside surgeons, intensivists, and pathologists to turn complex clinical problems into practical research solutions. Her work spans two major programs: developing a rapid diagnostic test to detect bacterial infections in blood before sepsis takes hold, and exploring mitochondrial transplantation as a novel therapy to rescue injured tissues after trauma and ischaemia.
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New models of care and value in General Practice
Dr Michael Wright is a GP, health economist and health services researcher. Dr Wright currently works as a portfolio GP, combining clinical practice with strategic appointments (most recently with RACGP, Central and Eastern Sydney Primary Health Network, Avant Mutual the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare) and academic research analysing the effects of current health policy on the quality and performance of primary care.
