Type 2 diabetes is the most common endocrine disease in the world and up to 60% of diabetic patients have heart disease. Heart disease is the most expensive heath condition and biggest cause of death in Australia. Diabetic patients often accumulate fat (triglyceride) within their heart cells, leading to diabetic heart disease. The present study sought to determine if diabetic patients with increased fat within their heart cells have more scarring which eventually results heart muscle dysfunction ....Type 2 diabetes is the most common endocrine disease in the world and up to 60% of diabetic patients have heart disease. Heart disease is the most expensive heath condition and biggest cause of death in Australia. Diabetic patients often accumulate fat (triglyceride) within their heart cells, leading to diabetic heart disease. The present study sought to determine if diabetic patients with increased fat within their heart cells have more scarring which eventually results heart muscle dysfunction.Read moreRead less
Platelet And Endothelial Function In Atrial Fibrillation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$105,825.00
Summary
Atrial fibrillation is the most common heart rhythm disturbance in the adult population and leads to substantial increased death and disability from stroke. In this research scheme, we will study the contribution of platelet (clot forming cells) and endothelial (lining of blood vessels) dysfunction in atrial fibrillation. The successful outcome of this project will lead to a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms of clot formation and may lead to a better target for future drugs.
Assessment Of Remote Ischemic Conditioning On Post-cardiac Arrest Myocardial Dysfunction By Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Invasive Coronary Hemodynamic Measurements And Markers Of Inflammation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$265,881.00
Summary
Cardiac arrest and heart attack continue to cause unacceptably high mortality and morbidity. Even following successful resuscitation many people do not recover due to the inflammation caused by a lack of blood flow. We will investigate remote ischemic conditioning, utilizing a combination of world class imaging with heart MRI, flow monitors directly in heart arteries and markers of inflammation, We aim to determine the impact and recovery to the heart, brain and circulation of this new therapy.
Innovative Use Of Hydrogel Technology To Recapitulate And Investigate Cardiac Pathology.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$716,162.00
Summary
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the leading cause of sudden death in the young. No treatment exists that can reverse or prevent it, primarily because the underlying mechanisms of the disease have not been fully elucidated. I will use innovative hydrogel technology to simulate the disease state. I will use this as a tool to identify the mechanisms involved with development of the disease. This will enable identification of potential therapeutic targets for prevention of the disease.
Regulating Gene Expression Changes In Cardiac Hypertrophy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$690,754.00
Summary
Following the success in decoding human genome, i.e. DNA sequence, a major task is to understand how the activity of genes with consequent changes in respective proteins. As proteins are an important component for cell structure and function, such changes in quantity and quality of proteins will play a pivotal role to affect disease development and progression.
Identifying And Developing Novel Therapeutic Approaches For Heart Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$638,517.00
Summary
Increasing rates of obesity, diabetes, and an ageing population increase the risk of heart disease & complications including heart failure (HF), atrial fibrillation (AF), and diabetic heart disease. There is a clinical need for i) improved therapies for patients with HF, AF, and diabetic heart, and ii) biomarkers which more effectively recognise people at risk of heart disease, to prevent clinical events. My research program is designed to develop novel therapies and identify new biomarkers.
Prediction Of Ventricular Arrhythmias And Prevention Of Sudden Cardiac Death Following Revascularised Acute Myocardial Infarction.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$117,270.00
Summary
Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a leading cause of death in Australia. Patients with coronary artery disease and impaired left ventricular function are at increased risk of heart failure, reinfarction and sudden cardiac death (SCD). This research will evaluate optimal methods to identify patients at risk for SCD following AMI using echocardiographic, MRI, and electrophysiological characteristics, and improve survival by early identification and management of these high-risk patients.
I am a cardiology research scientist investigating the differences between physiological (“good”) and pathological (“bad”) heart growth- cardiac hypertrophy. In general, heart failure research and therapy has concentrated on identifying and inhibiting pathological processes. In contrast, my research is unique because it has focused on activating physiological pathways (elevated in the athlete’s heart) in the failing heart as a potential new strategy for the treatment of heart failure and atrial ....I am a cardiology research scientist investigating the differences between physiological (“good”) and pathological (“bad”) heart growth- cardiac hypertrophy. In general, heart failure research and therapy has concentrated on identifying and inhibiting pathological processes. In contrast, my research is unique because it has focused on activating physiological pathways (elevated in the athlete’s heart) in the failing heart as a potential new strategy for the treatment of heart failure and atrial fibrillation.Read moreRead less
Heart muscle cells have little potential for regeneration, and after a heart attack or in response to chronic hypertension, they grow bigger, resulting in deterioration of function and heart failure. We have compelling evidence that the c-kit protein limits heart regeneration and function. We expect to demonstrate that c-kit inactivation can greatly improve heart regeneration and function after cardiac injury/stress. Our work will have major clinical significance for future heart failure treatme ....Heart muscle cells have little potential for regeneration, and after a heart attack or in response to chronic hypertension, they grow bigger, resulting in deterioration of function and heart failure. We have compelling evidence that the c-kit protein limits heart regeneration and function. We expect to demonstrate that c-kit inactivation can greatly improve heart regeneration and function after cardiac injury/stress. Our work will have major clinical significance for future heart failure treatment strategies.Read moreRead less