Appointment of Mary Herbert to Professorship of Reproductive Biology at Monash University
Professor Mary Herbert will join the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute at Monash University in February 2023.
Professor Herbert’s research combines fundamental biology of oocytes and early embryos with clinical approaches to improve female reproductive outcomes, including for women at risk of transmitting mitochondrial DNA disease to their children. Professor Herbert has been at the forefront in the development of technologies to introduce Mitochondrial Donation in the UK. This transformative technology effectively replaces the faulty mitochondria in eggs or zygotes with healthy mitochondria, thereby preventing the transmission of debilitating mitochondrial genetic disease.
Professor Herbert is currently Professor of Reproductive Biology at the Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University and Scientific Director at Newcastle Fertility Centre. She is Fellow of the UK Academy of Medical Sciences and Royal College of Pathologists. Her appointment will consolidate an existing institution-level research partnership between Monash University and Newcastle University (UK). Professor Herbert will establish a joint research initiative to improve reproductive outcomes for women, including those at risk of transmitting mitochondrial DNA disease.
In March this year, the Australian Senate passed legislation, known as Maeve’s Law, to allow the introduction of Mitochondrial Donation in Australia. The Australian Government, through the Medical Research Future Fund, is supporting a pilot program, including a clinical trial, to determine the safety, efficacy, and feasibility of implementing mitochondrial donation reproductive technology in clinical practice settings. Applications to the competitive grant opportunity are currently under review and the pilot program is expected to commence in 2023.
Professor John Carroll, Director of the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute commented, “Mary and the team from Newcastle University (UK) have led the world in pre-clinical and clinical research into mitochondrial donation. The recruitment of Professor Herbert to Monash will ensure Australia has access to the very latest knowledge and innovations and we look forward to Mitochondrial Donation being available to patients as part of the Pilot Program and clinical trial which will start next year.”
Professor Herbert will enhance Monash University’s reputation for pioneering work in human reproduction that dates back to the advent of IVF in the early 80s and most recently the development of a model for early human development known as iBlastoids.
About the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute
Committed to making the discoveries that will relieve the future burden of disease, the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute (BDI) at Monash University brings together more than 120 internationally-renowned research teams. Spanning seven discovery programs across Cancer, Cardiovascular Disease, Development and Stem Cells, Infection, Immunity, Metabolism, Diabetes and Obesity, and Neuroscience, Monash BDI is one of the largest biomedical research institutes in Australia. Our researchers are supported by world-class technology and infrastructure, and partner with industry, clinicians and researchers internationally to enhance lives through discovery.