Tiziano Barberi, Ph.D.

RESEARCH

Dr. Tiziano Barberi's lab researches human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). We are currently researching hESC and iPSC (collectively named hPSC) as an in vitro model of cell fate determination and lineage specification and to obtain specialized cells.

To direct the differentiation of hPSC into the fates of interest, we established specific culture conditions that combine the use of differently coated dishes with a serum-free medium and an appropriate cocktail of growth factors and/or active small molecules. 

Upon differentiation, we use fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) technology to purify the desired cell populations. FACS-based purification is an essential prerequisite that provides the basis for the next step of their studies. Our goal is to generate hPSC-derived specialized progeny for drug screening, disease modeling, and pre-clinical applications. 

Selected Publications

Borchin B, Chen J, Barberi T.  Derivation and FACS-mediated purification of PAX3+/PAX7+ skeletal muscle precursors from human pluripotent stem cells. Stem Cell Reports 1: 620-631, 2013. 

Mengarelli I, Barberi T. Derivation of multiple cranial tissues and isolation of lens epithelium-like cells from human embryonic stem cells. Stem Cells Transl Med 2: 94-106, 2013.