Personalised Exercise As Medicine. Optimising The Prescription To Maximise The Benefit
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$772,490.00
Summary
Humans have never been less physically active than in contemporary Western society. These studies will provide an evidence-basis to address the inactivity epidemic by laying the foundation for personalised and effective exercise prescriptions, to which people are more likely to adhere.
Evaluation Of New Biomarkers Of Coagulation In High Risk Cardiovascular Population
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$128,224.00
Summary
Predicting the cardiovascular risk of an individual remains challenging despite the current advances and to date, there is no available laboratory testing that accurately reflects an individual’s clotting profile. This prospective study aims to address this with the use of global coagulation assay as a novel tool for individual cardiovascular risk prognostication and management, as well as demonstrate the compensatory mechanism between the different arms of Virchow's triad.
I am a cardiovascular clinician-scientist involved in characterising the cellular and molecular pathogenesis of heart failure. My goal is to translate these findings into clinical solutions.
The Integrated Assessment Of Cardiac Function And Synchrony, And Its Clinical Implications In Cardiac Pacing.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$100,381.00
Summary
Current techniques for assessing cardiac function are limited. We seek firstly to help prove the accuracy of new techniques to assess cardiac function using novel echocardiographic (cardiac ultrasound) tools. We will then apply these tools to patients with severe heart failure who are receiving cardiac resynchronisation therapy - a new, potentially life-saving type of pacemaker - to maximise potential patient benefit. We will also use these tools to help optimise conventional pacemaker function.
A Novel Method For The Early Detection Of Cardiovascular Disease Through The Direct Measurement Of Tissue Wall Elasticit
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$196,000.00
Summary
Changes in the structure and function of blood vessels are an early stage in the development of arterial disease. A simple means of assessing this damage will allow for early detection of arterial disease and will provide a tool for monitoring outcomes of treatment and preventive medicine. We have developed a novel method for measuring vessel wall displacement throughout the cardiac cycle. This study aims to provide proof of principle data through the validation of these measurements against the ....Changes in the structure and function of blood vessels are an early stage in the development of arterial disease. A simple means of assessing this damage will allow for early detection of arterial disease and will provide a tool for monitoring outcomes of treatment and preventive medicine. We have developed a novel method for measuring vessel wall displacement throughout the cardiac cycle. This study aims to provide proof of principle data through the validation of these measurements against the physical properties of the vessel and application of the technique to a clinical setting.Read moreRead less
Insulin Regulated Aminopeptidase: A New Cardiovascular Target
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$672,650.00
Summary
Cardiovascular disease, leading to heart attack or stroke is the largest cause of death in Australia. We have evidence that inhibition of a newly described enzyme (IRAP) by angiotensin IV is protective in a model of atherosclerosis. Excitingly we have preliminary data indicating that mice deficient in IRAP have better vascular function therefore we will further investigate this as well as the effectiveness of newly developed IRAP inhibitors in preventing development of cardiovascular disease.
Control Of Cardiac And Skeletal Contractility By Luminal Calcium Store Load In Health And Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$415,138.00
Summary
Disorders affecting skeletal muscle and the heart can have life threatening effects and lead to impaired mobility and sudden cardiac death. This project will uncover the mechanisms of disorders which lead to skeletal muscle fatigue, chemotherapy induced toxicity in the heart and heart failure. Understanding these mechanisms may lead to successful gene therapy treatment and to the design of a new range of drug therapies to treat these devastating disorders.
The AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a metabolic stress-sensing enzyme responsible for matching energy supply to energy demand by the many different cells in our bodies. AMPK is active in the heart, where it may control cardiac function and the response of the heart to disease. It has been difficult to study AMPK in the heart because we lack drugs that block the actions of AMPK. This study will investigate the role of AMPK in the heart using a genetic approach whereby the AMPK enzyme is re ....The AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a metabolic stress-sensing enzyme responsible for matching energy supply to energy demand by the many different cells in our bodies. AMPK is active in the heart, where it may control cardiac function and the response of the heart to disease. It has been difficult to study AMPK in the heart because we lack drugs that block the actions of AMPK. This study will investigate the role of AMPK in the heart using a genetic approach whereby the AMPK enzyme is rendered inactive (a gene knockout approach). By this approach we will learn how AMPK controls heart function and how drugs that affect AMPK may impact on the heart.Read moreRead less
Invasive Assessment Of Pulmonary Vascular Physiology - Novel Methods For Early Detection Of Pulmonary Vascular Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$274,352.00
Summary
Pulmonary vascular disease (PVD) is a lethal condition characterised by progressive destruction of the lung blood vessels. One major problem with PVD is that diagnosis is often made very late in the illness, when the pulmonary blood pressure rises. This project aims to develop a novel method to detect the early and clinically silent phase of PVD, by assessing the lung's blood vessel reserves. Early diagnosis of PVD will enable earlier treatment thereby improving prospects for treatment.