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.
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.
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.
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.
Vesicular Trafficking Pathways Underpinning Neuronal Secretion And Survival
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$697,209.00
Summary
Plethora of diseases of the nervous system are caused by defects in vesicular trafficking including neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. I will explore the mechanisms underpinning synaptic vesicular trafficking using novel super resolution techniques and reveal the how secretory vesicles traffic to the plasma membrane, undergo exocytosis, and recycle. I will also explain how in the crowded environment of the presynaptic terminals, retrograde cargoes are transported back to the ....Plethora of diseases of the nervous system are caused by defects in vesicular trafficking including neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. I will explore the mechanisms underpinning synaptic vesicular trafficking using novel super resolution techniques and reveal the how secretory vesicles traffic to the plasma membrane, undergo exocytosis, and recycle. I will also explain how in the crowded environment of the presynaptic terminals, retrograde cargoes are transported back to the cell body thereby carrying survival signals.Read moreRead less
Ion channels are molecular pores of excitable membranes facilitating passage of ions and organic solutes across cellular membranes. An ever-increasing number of human and animal diseases result from malfunctioning ion channels making them to important therapeutic targets, which are modulated by a range of currently prescribed drugs. In the recent years the scientific and medical community has become increasingly aware of the role that mechanosensitive ion channels play in pathology of diseases i ....Ion channels are molecular pores of excitable membranes facilitating passage of ions and organic solutes across cellular membranes. An ever-increasing number of human and animal diseases result from malfunctioning ion channels making them to important therapeutic targets, which are modulated by a range of currently prescribed drugs. In the recent years the scientific and medical community has become increasingly aware of the role that mechanosensitive ion channels play in pathology of diseases including cardiac hyperthrophy and arrhythmias.Read moreRead less
Venoms To Drugs: Translating Venom Peptides Into Therapeutics
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$751,854.00
Summary
Chronic pain is a major global health problem that currently affects over three million Australians. There are few drugs available for treating chronic pain and many have significant side-effects. Several ion channels are critical for conducting pain signals to the brain. Blocking these channels can provide pain relief and, in some cases, protection from brain injury following stroke. We are producing potent and selective blockers of these ion channels for the treatment of chronic pain and strok ....Chronic pain is a major global health problem that currently affects over three million Australians. There are few drugs available for treating chronic pain and many have significant side-effects. Several ion channels are critical for conducting pain signals to the brain. Blocking these channels can provide pain relief and, in some cases, protection from brain injury following stroke. We are producing potent and selective blockers of these ion channels for the treatment of chronic pain and stroke.Read moreRead less
Regulation Of Cell Death, Cell Survival And Ubiquitination In Normal Physiology And Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$851,980.00
Summary
The project will investigate the functions of specific genes and pathways to understand the molecular basis of various diseases. It is based on our data that indicate new roles for (i) cell death in genomic instability in cancer, and (ii) ubiquitination in hypertension, developmental defects, kidney disease, as well as iron homeostasis. The work will lead to new understanding of human disease and discovery of potential new drug targets. It will also provide training of junior scientists.