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Do Retinal Microvascular Signs Predict Ischaemic Heart Disease Subtype? The Australian Heart Eye Study (AHES)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$65,532.00
Summary
Narrowing of the large vessels of the heart and abnormal function of the small vessels are both causes of coronary heart disease and chest pain.There are few non-invasive investigations to help differentiate between large and small vessel disease and assess one’s risk of developing disease in the future.The study uses retinal photography and coronary angiography to assess whether changes in the structure of the blood vessels of the eye may be used to identify the type of coronary heart disease a ....Narrowing of the large vessels of the heart and abnormal function of the small vessels are both causes of coronary heart disease and chest pain.There are few non-invasive investigations to help differentiate between large and small vessel disease and assess one’s risk of developing disease in the future.The study uses retinal photography and coronary angiography to assess whether changes in the structure of the blood vessels of the eye may be used to identify the type of coronary heart disease as well as the risk of future cardiac events.Read moreRead less
Protective Role Of The Depressor Arm Of The Renin-angiotensin System During Pregnancy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$633,384.00
Summary
The motivation for unveiling the normal hormonal and molecular mechanisms involved in the extraordinary vasodilatation associated with pregnancy is that understanding these fundamental processes may provide novel insights into the pathophysiology of preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction, as well as potential therapeutic strategies for not only the treatment of these pregnancy specific conditions but also cardiovascular and renal diseases in non-pregnant women and men.
In Vivo Studies On Ventriculo-vascular Coupling And The Role Of Aortic Pressure Wave Morphology On Coronary Blood Flow
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$137,700.00
Summary
Heart disease is a leading cause of death and disability in Australia. Conditions resulting in reduced blood flow to the heart are particularly common and dangerous. Despite significant progress, we still do not understand exactly how changes in heart function and the aorta (the major artery arising from the heart) affect blood flow to the heart. This study will utilise sophisticated new techniques to look at the interactions between heart function, pressure in the aorta and coronary blood flow
UTILITY OF NOVEL BIOMARKERS IN THE PREDICTION OF MAJOR COMPLICATIONS OF TYPE II DIABETES MELLITUS
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$510,639.00
Summary
Diabetes is increasingly common. It can cause a variety of complications, the most serious being heart and kidney disease. The reasons why some patients develop such complications are not fully understood so it is difficult to predict who will be affected. The current project will use samples from a large international study of patients with diabetes to assess whether levels of specific markers in the blood help to predict major complications and clarify why they occur.
Measurement And Prognostic Significance Of Retinal Vessel Parameters In Childhood
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$264,175.00
Summary
We propose that structural micro-vessel changes associated with blood pressure develop early in childhood and that these may predict future cardiovascular risk in adulthood. In order to address this important issue, we will measure retinal vascular diameter and other microvascular signs from retinal photographs taken of a large population-based sample of Sydney schoolchildren (n-4,093) during 2003-2005. This project included 1740 6-year olds and 2353 12-year olds from 52 schools across Sydney. A ....We propose that structural micro-vessel changes associated with blood pressure develop early in childhood and that these may predict future cardiovascular risk in adulthood. In order to address this important issue, we will measure retinal vascular diameter and other microvascular signs from retinal photographs taken of a large population-based sample of Sydney schoolchildren (n-4,093) during 2003-2005. This project included 1740 6-year olds and 2353 12-year olds from 52 schools across Sydney. Almost all had photos taken. We will test the hypothesis that retinal arteriolar calibre in children is strongly influenced by ambient (current) blood pressure, after accounting for confounding influences of image magnification (eye shape , size and refraction) and size of the child (body mass). We also predict that familial, eye and general health factors also determe diameter of retinal vessels, and will account for these in the analysis. We will test the notion that certain retinal vessel branches or trunks will be more affected by blood pressure variability than others. This finding, if shown, could improve our understanding of retinal micro-vessel signs in older adult populations and may assist developments of rapid image scanning to assess vessel diameter. In a pilot study grading retinal vessel diameters from one eye of a random sample of the 6-year old images, we found that increasing blood pressure was strongly associated with slightly narrower retinal arterioles. Though modest in magnitude, this effect was highly significant and was independent of other factors found to determine retinal vessel diameter. Evidence is emerging that cardiovascular disease may be linked to BP levels in early life. It seems possible that retinal micro-vessel changes in children may also predict future cardiovascular risk in adulthood. This research will evaluate measures to study the long-term effects of variations in blood pressure and its genesis in childhood.Read moreRead less
The L-type Calcium Channel As A Reporter Of Successful Morpholino Oligomer Therapy In Treatment Of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Cardiomyopathy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$595,062.00
Summary
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is a fatal muscle wasting disorder. We have previously characterised how the heart fails in a mouse model of muscular dystrophy. We now have preliminary data demonstrating that treatment of mice with morpholino oligomers can rescue cardiac function. This project will fully characterise the effect of the treatment on heart function and optimise therapy regimes with the view to utilising the optimised protocol as a guideline in treating cardiomyopathy in Duchenne Muscul ....Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is a fatal muscle wasting disorder. We have previously characterised how the heart fails in a mouse model of muscular dystrophy. We now have preliminary data demonstrating that treatment of mice with morpholino oligomers can rescue cardiac function. This project will fully characterise the effect of the treatment on heart function and optimise therapy regimes with the view to utilising the optimised protocol as a guideline in treating cardiomyopathy in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy boys.Read moreRead less
New Insights Into The Mechanisms Of Thrombogenesis In Atrial Fibrillation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$443,946.00
Summary
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common heart rhythm disturbance (arrhythmia), which is associated with a high risk of stroke due to clot formation within the left atria. At present we still only have a limited understanding of the mechanism of clot formation in AF. The aim of this study is to determine the critical mechanisms that contribute to clot formation within the left atria in AF. This knowledge is fundamental to the development of more successful interventional approaches.
A Novel Therapy For The Prevention And Treatment Of Familial Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$835,972.00
Summary
Familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a genetic disorder that leads to enlargement of the heart, cardiac failure and sudden death. No treatment exists that can reverse or prevent the cardiomyopathy. In this proposal we will determine whether a peptide (Patent WO2013/113060) targeting a calcium channel can prevent or reverse the cardiomyopathy as a novel treatment for the disease.