The ABC Network Expands

The Australia Brazil Chile (ABC) Network is excited to announce its recent expansion, welcoming researchers from Argentina, Colombia and Uruguay to the cohort including Dr Guillermo Lanuza from Fundación Instituto Leloir (Argentina), Associate Professor Flavio Zolessi from Universidad de la República (Uruguay) and Drs Fernando Lizcano, Lina A Gómez, John Londoño and Ana María Santos from Universidad de la Sabana (Colombia).

ARMI initially established the Network to strengthen the research program and develop new relationships through identifying and conducting collaborative, cutting-edge regenerative medicine and developmental biology projects across Australia, Brazil and Chile. Activities including staff and student exchange, shared projects and joint publications in leading journals are underpinned by the annual Australia – Brazil – Chile Regenerative and Developmental Biology Symposium Series (the ABC Symposium).

“It’s fantastic to see the ABC Network grow,” said Silvio Tiziani, Director of External Strategy and Planning at ARMI. “Regenerative medicine and stem cell research are particularly strong in South America, and adding researchers to the Network will help facilitate additional collaborations, accelerate our scientific discoveries, and ultimately, improved outcomes for patients. This international and collaborative approach is a hallmark of our approach to the research program.”

The newest members of the Network cover a wide range of research topics, from neural development to inflammation, to the circulatory system:

• Dr Guillermo Lanuza’s area of expertise lies in neural development, particularly in understanding the basic mechanisms underlying hindbrain and spinal cord development. The overarching goal of his lab is to identify transcriptional regulators and signalling pathways that play a role in neuronal cell diversity.
• Associate Professor Flavio Zolessi researches embryonic development, particularly neurogenesis and cell polarity, using zebrafish as a model. Flavio and his group are highly skilled at microscopy and imaging.
• Dr Fernando Lizcano’s work focuses on aspects of gene expression in metabolic diseases, including obesity, diabetes mellitus, thyroid diseases. Notably, his studies use primary cultures of human adipocytes.
• Dr Lina A Gómez’s latest research explores the clinical applications of blood products, such as plasma, and ways to upgrade methods of collection, storage and usage of blood products to improve patients outcomes. This work includes therapeutic areas of dermatology and gastroenterology.
• Dr John Londoño is a leading clinician-researcher in the field of inflammation and the musculoskeletal system, with a major focus on rheumatology. His body of research comprises a mix of basic science, clinical case studies and more extensive population studies.
• Dr Ana María Santos also investigates inflammation and the musculoskeletal system, specialising in rheumatology and autoimmunity. Involved in basic science, clinical and population research studies, Ana is a thought leader in the therapeutic potential of stem cells in different disease areas.

“Hopefully, we will be able to hold the next ABC Symposium in-person soon, and we can welcome our newest members in person,” commented Silvio. “The COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced to us that maintaining scientific excellence means working together and sharing knowledge on a global level. We’re excited to have more brilliant minds to share and challenge and catalyse some of the work we are all doing in the field.”

Silvio added, “But in the meantime, we’ll also be workshopping a new and more inclusive name for the network!”