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The L-type Calcium Channel In Cardiovascular Health And Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$631,370.00
Summary
Calcium influx into cardiac muscle cells occurs via the L-type calcium channel. The channel is essential to life but when function is altered it can contribute to the development of sudden death and heart failure. I have made significant discoveries in understanding the role of the channel in disease and I have exploited this knowledge to design therapy including a novel class of calcium channel antagonists to prevent the development of heart failure.
Characterising The Effects Of Oxidative Stress On The Human L-type Ca2+ Channel Isoforms And Role In Human Pathology
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$250,805.00
Summary
Oxidative stress, poor energy production and increases in intracellular calcium are features of the failing heart. I have determined that the function of the L-type calcium channel, the primary protein responsible for calcium influx and contraction can be regulated by free radicals produced by the mitochondria (powerhouse of the cell). This proposal will determine the site of modification on the human L-type calcium channel and how communication between the channel and the mitochondria is altere ....Oxidative stress, poor energy production and increases in intracellular calcium are features of the failing heart. I have determined that the function of the L-type calcium channel, the primary protein responsible for calcium influx and contraction can be regulated by free radicals produced by the mitochondria (powerhouse of the cell). This proposal will determine the site of modification on the human L-type calcium channel and how communication between the channel and the mitochondria is altered in animal models of human disease.Read moreRead less
Venoms To Drugs: Translating Venom Peptides Into Human Therapeutics
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$774,540.00
Summary
Many disorders of the nervous system, including chronic pain, epilepsy and the neuronal degeneration suffered following a stroke, result from malfunction of channels that ferry ions across neuronal cell membranes. There are very few drugs available for treating these disorders and they often have debilitating side-effects. We are developing potent and selective modulators of these ion channels as the next-generation of safe and effective analgesic, anti-epileptic, and neuroprotective drugs.
Mechanotransduction is defined as the ability of living cells to respond to and convert mechanical stimuli into electro-chemical cellular signals to ensure survival. It is largely dependent on membrane proteins known as mechanosensitive (MS) ion channels. These channels are involved in senses of hearing and touch, and are also crucial regulators of heart and muscle function. This research aims to elucidate the general physical principles underlying mechanotransduction in living cells.
The aim of this application is to find new therapeutic strategies for genetic epilepsy. "Disease in a dish" models as well as whole animal models will be generated that contain patient gene mutations and the underlying disease processes will be characterised. Using these models a range of existing and new drugs will be tested to select those that most completely reverse these disease processes. These results will feed into clinical trials in patients with appropriate genetic profiles.
Development Of Ultrahigh Resolution Brain Imaging For Investigating Neurological And Neurodegenerative Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$880,454.00
Summary
Understanding the structural and functional organisation of the human brain is the focus of enormous research effort. Neuroimaging is an extraordinarily important basic and clinical neuroscience discipline, and is unique in being able to provide direct in vivo measurements of the human brain, and crucially in individuals with brain and mind diseases. This research project will develop and utilise ultra-high resolution brain scanning to understand the mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases.
Maps, Models And Modifiers Of Brain Changes In Psychosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$715,210.00
Summary
Psychosis fundamentally alters one’s relationship with reality. Brain scans can map which parts of the brain are affected by psychosis, but they cannot identify the cellular processes that cause these changes. My fellowship aims to address this gap by integrating brain imaging with genetics and mathematical modelling to identify the brain circuits and molecules that impact risk for psychosis, and to develop targeted therapies to modify these dysfunctional circuits.
The key goal of my research is to understand the role of protein phosphorylation in controlling metabolism, with a special emphasis on the structure and function of members of the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway. This is important because the function and survival of all organisms is dependent on the dynamic control of energy metabolism, with energy demand matched to energy supply.
Despite dramatic improvements in diagnosis, prevention and treatment of heart disease, cardiovascular disease remains the commonest cause of death in Australia. The continuing decline in mortality from ischaemic heart disease has been offset by an increase in the incidence of sudden cardiac death due to abnormal heart rhythms. By understanding the basic mechanisms underlying cardiac arrhythmias we are seeking to develop more effective therapies to treat and/or prevent sudden cardiac death.