The Australian Research Data Commons (ARDC) invites you to participate in a short survey about your
interaction with the ARDC and use of our national research infrastructure and services. The survey will take
approximately 5 minutes and is anonymous. It’s open to anyone who uses our digital research infrastructure
services including Reasearch Link Australia.
We will use the information you provide to improve the national research infrastructure and services we
deliver and to report on user satisfaction to the Australian Government’s National Collaborative Research
Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) program.
Please take a few minutes to provide your input. The survey closes COB Friday 29 May 2026.
Complete the 5 min survey now by clicking on the link below.
Urotensin-II In Human Heart: Investigation Of Mechanisms Involved In Cardiac Function
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$255,990.00
Summary
The normal function of the body is maintained by naturally occurring compounds. Some for example affect the heart, fine tuning it to make it beat faster or slower, or beat with greater or less force when required in different situations in health and disease. We were the first to show just recently that a small protein which occurs naturally in the body, called urotensin-II can affect the way the heart beats. We showed that extremely tiny amounts increase the force of the heart beat. Our finding ....The normal function of the body is maintained by naturally occurring compounds. Some for example affect the heart, fine tuning it to make it beat faster or slower, or beat with greater or less force when required in different situations in health and disease. We were the first to show just recently that a small protein which occurs naturally in the body, called urotensin-II can affect the way the heart beats. We showed that extremely tiny amounts increase the force of the heart beat. Our findings indicate that urotensin-II is the most potent heart stimulator identified to date. In patients with heart failure, short term stimulation of heart contraction is beneficial, supplying the heart and other organs with vital oxygen and nutrients. However, in the long term excessive stimulation causes worsening of the patients condition. Very little is currently known about the way in which urotensin-II alters heart function. The goal of our study is to understand the mechanism involved in urotensin-II mediated effects on the heart. This will involve identifying the location of urotensin-II and its receptors in the heart, and determining what signalling changes occur after the interaction of urotensin-II with its receptors. Urotensin-II must first be cleaved from a larger drug. We will determine where in the heart this cleavage occurs and whether the process is crucial to the ability of urotensin-II to stimulate contraction of the heart. Since stimulators of heart contraction are detrimental to patients with heart failure in the long term, we will determine whether these patients have more urotensin-II in their blood than patients who do not have heart failure. If the levels of urotensin-II are higher in heart failure patients, it may indicate a need to interfere with the interaction of urotensin-II with its receptors.Read moreRead less
NOVEL CGMP-BASED THERAPIES PREVENT LEFT VENTRICULAR REMODELLING
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$533,433.00
Summary
Over 300,000 Australians are affected by heart failure. Current drugs for cardiac remodelling (the decline in heart pumping function and changed structure that precede heart failure) slow but not reverse disease progression. We have identified a new, nitrovasodilator-based therapy superior to those currently available. We propose it represents a more effective treatment for reversing abnormalities in both structure and function in the remodelled heart, preventing or delaying heart failure.
Contractile And Relaxant Effects Of B2- And B1-adrenoceptors In Human Heart: Blockade By A Third Generation B-blocker
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$136,320.00
Summary
The force and the duration of each heart beat can be modified in disease states affecting the heart. They can also be modified by chemicals which occur naturally in the body. Two of the most important naturally occurring chemicals which affect the function of the heart are (-)-noradrenaline and (-)-adrenaline. These chemicals and others which have been synthesized and optimized can also be used therapeutically. They work by activating proteins which occur on the cell surface, called b-adrenocept ....The force and the duration of each heart beat can be modified in disease states affecting the heart. They can also be modified by chemicals which occur naturally in the body. Two of the most important naturally occurring chemicals which affect the function of the heart are (-)-noradrenaline and (-)-adrenaline. These chemicals and others which have been synthesized and optimized can also be used therapeutically. They work by activating proteins which occur on the cell surface, called b-adrenoceptors. When activated, b-adrenoceptors cause an increase in the force of each heart beat and a reduction in the duration of each heart beat. This may be an advantage in conditions where the heart beat is too long. In this study we propose to map the biochemical pathways through which b-adrenoceptors affect each heart beat. The therapeutic management of heart failure has been revolutionized by the use of compounds which block b-adrenoceptors. One such drug, carvedilol is currently used in this country. The way in which it works may not be fully understood. In preliminary experiments we have identified a novel mechanism for carvedilol directly in human heart in which it may work and contribute to it's beneficial effects in the management of heart failure. Our studies will focus on this finding.Read moreRead less
Novel Actions Of Beta-adrenoceptor Antagonists: Implications For The Treatment Of Cardiac Failure
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$142,630.00
Summary
Almost 2-3 of drugs on the market act on G protein-coupled receptors, and many are antagonists that block receptors. Antagonists were seen as inert compounds that prevent access of natural neurotransmitters or hormones, but recent studies indicate distinct actions. We believe that atypical effects of beta-adrenergic antagonists may explain their usefulness in treating cardiac failure. We seek to understand the process and develop assays to aid the development of new drugs for cardiac failure.
TARGETING ROS-INDUCED DAMAGE RESCUES THE DIABETIC HEART
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$487,669.00
Summary
Over 1 million Australians have diabetes. Many of these patients die from cardiovascular disease. We have identified free radicals as a major cause of decreased pumping function and impaired recovery from each heartbeat in the diabetic heart. Stronger antioxidant approaches and-or activation of protective protein pathways is a more effective treatment for reversing impaired function in the diabetic heart, preventing or delaying heart failure in patients with diabetes.