Rosenthal to head regenerative institute

Leading American molecular biologist Professor Nadia Rosenthal has been appointed head of Victoria's new Regenerative Medicine Institute.

Her husband, Alan Sawyer, has been appointed head of the state's new Monoclonal Antibody Technologies Facility, both based at Monash University.

Announcing the appointments, Victorian Treasurer and Minister for Innovation John Brumby said Rosenthal was internationally renowned for her work on the use of stem cells in muscle regeneration and heart repair.

She has been lured from the mouse biology program at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Monterotondo, Italy, and is most well-known for her involvement in the discovery of the insulin gene at Harvard Medical School. She has also served as editor of the New England Journal of Medicine.

Sawyer is known for his work in developing antibodies for basic medical research and has several patents pending for his methods for producing monoclonal antibodies.

"Regenerative medicine is emerging as one of the most promising areas in medical science, making great advances in repairing human tissue and organs by bringing together several scientific fields including stem cell research, molecular biology and tissue engineering," Brumby said.

"These appointments will help Victoria achieve our goal of becoming a top five global biotechnology destination by 2010, as well as boost our work in regenerative and medical research."

The couple will take up their appointments in 2008, with Rosenthal initially serving on a part-time basis to establish the new institute and help build European ties with Monash.

The $138 million institute was announced last year.