News Story

George has been named as the inaugural recipient of the Miltenyi Biotec Australia Scholarship in Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine. His research will build on the world-first breakthrough by UNSW Professors Edna Hardeman and Peter Gunning that showed that transplanting adult stem cells into dead muscle could regenerate the damaged tissue.

The research is part of an ongoing project funded by the Oncology Children’s Foundation.

“My aim is to define the donor cell populations and the signaling factors responsible for the regeneration of the muscle tissue,” George said. “The findings will help us design cell-based therapeutic strategies to improve the symptoms of patients. “

The research’s application is the muscle wasting aspect called cachexia – the extreme weight and muscle loss often seen in muscular dystrophy and in end-stage cancer, Professor Hardeman explained.

“Cachexia leads to a significant decline in the ability to respond to chemotherapy and to recover from cancer. Once it sets in, it’s like a point of no return.

“This work will help ameliorate that,” she said.

Professor Hardeman said the financial contribution by Miltenyi Biotec represented a significant boost to the work of the Neuromuscular & Regenerative Medicine Unit, where George will be based.

“It’s not just about the dollars and the equipment. Miltenyi also bring with them the lab experience and the knowledge in the field that is essential to the success of the project,” Professor Hardeman said.

Managing Director of Miltenyi Biotec Australia Dr Con Tsonis said the company was delighted to be associated with Professor Hardeman’s laboratory.

“I see this partnership bringing together Miltenyi's innovative products and the scientific skills and nous within UNSW’s School of Medical Sciences, in order to solve a very important clinical question.”


* Image description - from left: Professor Edna Hardeman (Head, Neuromuscular & Regenerative Medicine Unit, SOMS), Dr Con Tsonis (Managing Director, Miltenyi Biotec Australia), Mr George Siopis (Recipient of the Miltenyi Biotec Australia PhD Scholarship in Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine), Ms Vittoria Lazzaro (NSW & ACT Regional Manager, Miltenyi Biotec Australia), Professor Peter Gunning (Head, Oncology Research Unit, SOMS).


[Media Contact: Steve Offner | 9385 8107 |