ISTM

Dr Varbiro moved to Keele as Lecturer in Biochemistry in October 2006, from a post at the  Centre for Spinal Studies, Robert Jones & Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital in Oswestry.

His previous positions had been as Assistant Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Medical Chemistry at the University of Pecs, Hungary, where he had worked as a postdoctoral researcher and completed his PhD and a Postgaduate MBA in the Business School. 

Dr Varbiro's clinical medical training was in the Faculty of Medicine Clinics of Dentistry and Maxillofacial Surgery at the University of Pecs, from 1987-96.

ISTM Research theme: 1. Clinical & Diagnostic Science - Apoptosis Research Group
2. Bioengineering & Therapeutics

Research interests:

Dr Gabor Varbiro's research is on the intrinsic apoptotic pathway, particularly the mechanisms of mitochondrial permeability transition (mPT), and its potential pharmacologic intervention.

His research developments and future plans include:
• Developing a high throughput screening method for the testing the effect of pharmacological agents on the mPT
• Identifying novel mPT inhibitors, and demonstrating structure-activity relationship
• Further investigation of the mechanism of mitochondrial pore formation and of the regulation of mitochondrial pro-apoptotic protein release
• Analysing the effect of the activation of mitochondrial apoptotic process on the energy metabolism within the mitochondria.

In addition to these, Dr Varbiro is working in collaborative projects with other ISTM members:
• Involvement of the nuclear enzyme PARP in apoptosis of intervertebral disc cells (with Prof Sally Roberts, RJ&AH Orthopaedic Hospital Spinal Studies Centre, Oswestry).
• A pilot study of  the effect of metal ions , particularly Co²⁺ and Cr³⁺ released from the metal-on-metal implants, on the apoptotic process, part of a PhD programme under the supervision of Prof James Richardson at RJ&AH Orthopaedic Hospital, Oswestry. For this Dr Varbiro will provide training in basic cell biological methods and supervise the basic science area of the proposed research.

For details of other apoptosis research at Keele see pages for the Apoptosis Research Group.

Teaching:

Lecturer in Biochemistry,  School of Pharmacy