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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Systems genetics to determine risk of developing diabetes complications
Dr Mara Zeissig is a recently appointed Lab Head within the Tumour Inflammation and Immunotherapy Program at the South Australian immunoGENomics Cancer Institute (SAiGENCI).
Her research focuses on studying immune evasion mechanisms in lung and pancreatic cancers to identify novel ways to increase response to immunotherapy. Her expertise is in genetically engineered mouse models of lung cancer, CRISPR-Cas9 screening technologies and T cell based immunotherapies (e.g Checkpoint inhibitors). -
Access to dental care for priority populations
Professor Dileep Sharma is a distinguished dental educator and researcher who currently serves as Professor and Discipline Head of Oral Health at the University of Newcastle, Australia. With over two decades of experience spanning clinical practice, research leadership, and academic mentorship, Professor Sharma has established himself as a leading authority in oral health education and interdisciplinary research.
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Targeting chemotherapy resistance in ovarian cancer patients
Dr Alex Cole, from the Centenary Institute’s Centre for Biomedical AI, is now leading the research focused on developing a new treatment to counteract a protein called follistatin (FST), known for making ovarian cancer cells resistant to chemotherapy.
By employing cutting-edge molecular biology and directed evolution techniques, the project aims to create nanobodies—small, precise molecules—that can block FST. If successful, these nanobodies could enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy and improve ovarian cancer treatment rates.
