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Muscle-man joins ARMI

20 May 2009

Professor Christophe Marcelle with ARMI director Professor Nadia Rosenthal

A world-leader in the application of developmental biology to the study of muscle growth has joined the Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute at Monash (ARMI).

Professor Christophe Marcelle will join Monash from mid-2009 as group leader at the institute.

Professor Marcelle currently leads a research group at the Developmental Biology Institute of Marseille Luminy (IBDML) at the University of Marseille in France.

ARMI director Professor Nadia Rosenthal said Professor Marcelle was an outstanding researcher in embryonic development.

"His work has illuminated key aspects of how muscle precursor cells form in the early embryo and how they contribute to muscle growth throughout life," Professor Rosenthal said.

"His team discovered how stem cells develop into specific muscle cells and the biological environment required for this to occur."

Professor Marcelle's work at ARMI will continue his focus on muscle development and stem cell biology, with the ultimate aim of understanding how the muscle organ system forms.

Professor Marcelle said he was excited about his move to Australia and joining ARMI.

"The format and spirit of the institute, along with its selection as headquarters for European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) was instrumental in my decision to relocate my research group," Professor Marcelle said.

"The EMBL model is a proven way to drive excellence in science and scientific collaboration. These are crucial to the success of a modern research laboratory."