Regulation Of Mammalian Heart Regeneration By The MiR-15 Family.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$435,859.00
Summary
The inability of the adult heart to regenerate following a heart attack is a major contributor to the burden of heart disease in the developed world. We have recently discovered that, for a brief period after birth, the newborn heart can completely regenerate itself following injury. Understanding how and why the heart loses this remarkable capacity for regeneration shortly after birth may hold the key for developing cardiac regenerative therapies.
The Role Of C-reactive Protein (CRP) In Localising Inflammation To Misfolded Proteins And “stressed” Cells: A Basis For The Development Of New Anti-inflammatory Reagents?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$723,488.00
Summary
Many diseases are exacerbated by inflammatory reactions. We describe how a protein circulating in the blood is a major driver of inflammatory reactions and how it is transformed from an inactive state to an active, highly pro-inflammatory state. Our project aims to understand how this transformation occurs at the molecular level, and to develop diagnostic techniques and innovative drugs to treat diseases such as heart attack, Alzheimer’s disease and other inflammatory diseases.
Restoring Microcirculatory Perfusion In ST-elevation Myocardial Infarction: The RESTORE MI Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,274,537.00
Summary
Current heart attack treatments have focussed on re-opening the blocked coronary artery but despite this, many patients still suffer significant heart damage because of inadequate blood flow to the heart muscle due to damage to the small blood vessels - the microcirculation. This study seeks to identify heart attack patients with damage to the microcirculation and will conduct a randomised trial of clot busting medications to reduce microcirculation damage and to improve heart function.
Defining Therapeutic Cells As Well As Establishing Cell Targeting And Tracking Technology For The Treatment Of Myocardial Infarction And Atherosclerosis.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$664,611.00
Summary
Regenerative cell therapy holds great promise for many diseases. However, studies so far such as preventing and treating heart attacks, often showed limited success. We will address the current three limitations of regenerative cell therapy: 1) Identify the beneficial “therapeutic” cell type. 2) Develop a technology that selectively delivers cells to the area of need. 3) Develop cell tracking technology. This study has the potential to provide major advances in regenerative cell therapy.
Autoimmune Rheumatic Disease And Outcomes After Acute Myocardial Infarction
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$151,214.00
Summary
Patients with inflammatory arthritis have an increased risk of heart disease and may have worse outcomes after heart attack than the general population. This research project looks at the risk of death after heart attack in people with inflammatory arthritis. This project also compares the treatment that people with arthritis receive after a heart attack with the treatment provided to the general population.
Heparin-induced Thrombocytopenia And Thrombosis: Better Understanding Of Pathogenesis And Improving Diagnosis And Treatment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$653,137.00
Summary
Heparin, a widely used drug, can cause an adverse effect which results in a fall of the platelet count and the development of serious thrombosis. This drug complication is mediated by an immune mechanism. This proposal aims to provide a better understanding of the disease mechanism. It also aims to develop a new test that will improve the diagnosis, and to produce a novel drug that will effectively suppress the immune reaction and improve the treatment.
Sex Disparities In Management Of Myocardial Infarction
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$624,203.00
Summary
We propose using linked routine Big Data from the NSW health system to investigate sex differences in medications prescribed following a first MI, including deviances from guideline recommendations. We will also quantify differences between women and men in subsequent adverse outcomes, such as recurrent MI, according to treatment prescribed, and will study variations in sex dif
A Randomised Evaluation Of The Appropriateness Of Anatomic Coronary Investigation In Cardiac Injury/MI Type 2
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,516,561.00
Summary
Myocardial infarction occurring in the context of another concurrent illness is associated with a higher morbidity, and mortality than patients presenting with spontaneous myocardial infarction. Significant variation in the use of coronary angiography for the investigation of these patients exists, and currently no trial evidence or guidelines define best practice. This trial will establish the optimal investigation and treatment approaches for the care of this very common clinical condition.
Activated Platelets As Unique Targets For Early Imaging And Site-directed Therapy Of Cardiovascular And Inflammatory Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$846,979.00
Summary
Heart attack and inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis und multiple sclerosis either kill or severely disable people. We use the presence of platelets early on in these diseases to develop methods for early diagnosis as well as potential drugs for site-directed therapy. We have developed new biotechnological tools to perform novel high sensitivity imaging in Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and laser light imaging as well as a localised anti-inflammatory therapy.
Degradable Nanocapsules For Thromboprophylaxis And Treatment Of Acute Thrombosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,158,447.00
Summary
The consequences of fat build up in vessels such as heart attacks and brain infarcts are the major cause of death in Australia. Clot busters have been proven to be beneficial for patients with heart attacks, clots in the legs or lungs and brain infarcts. However, the currently available drugs have major limitations in efficacy and in safety. The aim of this project is to develop novel drugs that have the potential to improve both significantly.