The Role Of Na-Ca Exchange Current In Cardiac Pacemaker Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$263,100.00
Summary
The heart rate is controlled by a small group of pacemaker cells within the heart. The pacemaker cells fire spontaneously and this intrinsic rate is modified by the sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves of the autonomic nervous system. We are studying a new current in the pacemaker cells which helps to control the firing rate. This new current is controlled by the intracellular calcium inside the cells so we are also studying the way in which intracellular calcium changes when the autonomic ner ....The heart rate is controlled by a small group of pacemaker cells within the heart. The pacemaker cells fire spontaneously and this intrinsic rate is modified by the sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves of the autonomic nervous system. We are studying a new current in the pacemaker cells which helps to control the firing rate. This new current is controlled by the intracellular calcium inside the cells so we are also studying the way in which intracellular calcium changes when the autonomic nervous system is active. This project will provide new insights into the function of this small group of critical cells and may allow treatment of some cardiac arrhythmias without the expense and surgery involved in the use of artificial pacemakers.Read moreRead less
Heart rhythm devices have revolutionised the survival of patients with heart disease. However we still do not know precisely what the outcomes are in patients attending our local hospitals. We will develop a registry for these devices to monitor and benchmark their performance throughout the state. The development of a registry enables us to assess the quality of health services at a local level. This project has the potential to improve the health outcomes of 4 million people with heart disease
Heartbeats are considered to arise through specialised pacemaker cells establishing rhythmically generated (i.e. pacemaker) action potentials, which then trigger propagating action potentials in heart muscle causing contraction and pumping of blood. This research proposal aims to challenge the physical model that is used to describe this pacemaker process and resultant heart conduction. Our reasons for doing this derive from our discovery of an alternative pacemaker-conduction mechanism, which w ....Heartbeats are considered to arise through specialised pacemaker cells establishing rhythmically generated (i.e. pacemaker) action potentials, which then trigger propagating action potentials in heart muscle causing contraction and pumping of blood. This research proposal aims to challenge the physical model that is used to describe this pacemaker process and resultant heart conduction. Our reasons for doing this derive from our discovery of an alternative pacemaker-conduction mechanism, which we have shown to operate in various smooth muscles. This mechanism, termed store-based pacemaking, is entirely different to the currently held cardiac model but could readily achieve the same outcome. We will investigate the hypothesis that this pacemaker mechanism is also fundamental to heart pacemaking and conduction. Positive support for our hypothesis, as indicated by our pilot findings, may severely challenge the present model for cardiac pacemaking. Such an outcome will have major ramifications on present interpretation of cardiac function in health and disease and will be particularly important to interpretation of disorders associated with cardiac arrhythmias and heart conduction.Read moreRead less
Defining The Colonic Abnormality Underlying Severe Constipation And Evaluating The Efficacy Of A Novel Treatment Therapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$487,990.00
Summary
This project aims to clarify the contractile patterns of the human colon which underlie the very common and distressing condition of constipation. We will be relating symptoms of constipation from a large number of sufferers with actual measurements of contractions along the colon in these patients. Furthermore by examining the in vivo colonic motor response to electrical stimulation of pelvic floor nerves, we will help to determine the potential of this new form of treatment for constipation. T ....This project aims to clarify the contractile patterns of the human colon which underlie the very common and distressing condition of constipation. We will be relating symptoms of constipation from a large number of sufferers with actual measurements of contractions along the colon in these patients. Furthermore by examining the in vivo colonic motor response to electrical stimulation of pelvic floor nerves, we will help to determine the potential of this new form of treatment for constipation. The aims of these projects will be to try and identify abnormal motor patterns responsible for constipation as well as determining a possible inductor of normal colonic motility so that future studies can target appropriate treatment at the responsible defect.Read moreRead less
Maternal Gut Microbiome During Pregnancy Influences Offspring Atopy And Asthma.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$46,622.00
Summary
Allergic diseases such as food allergy and asthma have increased significantly as our exposure to bacteria has reduced. Many studies have explored exposure to bacteria in early life but few have examined the maternal bacteria we are exposed to while we develop in the womb. New studies indicate that we are exposed to many different components of our mothers gut bacteria and this might change our developing immune system and determine whether or not we get diseases like food allergy and asthma.
Platelet And Endothelial Function In Atrial Fibrillation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$105,825.00
Summary
Atrial fibrillation is the most common heart rhythm disturbance in the adult population and leads to substantial increased death and disability from stroke. In this research scheme, we will study the contribution of platelet (clot forming cells) and endothelial (lining of blood vessels) dysfunction in atrial fibrillation. The successful outcome of this project will lead to a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms of clot formation and may lead to a better target for future drugs.
Biomarkers For The Diagnosis And Prognostic Analysis Of Male Infertility
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$631,370.00
Summary
Male infertility is a common condition, affecting 1 in 15 men. Although a standard semen analysis is often performed to test whether a man is infertile, it is far from definitive. We have developed a new approach, by looking at proteins that are commonly missing from infertile sperm cells. From this analysis, we can definitively diagnose male infertility and are beginning to understand why men are becoming infertile.
Innovative Use Of Hydrogel Technology To Recapitulate And Investigate Cardiac Pathology.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$716,162.00
Summary
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the leading cause of sudden death in the young. No treatment exists that can reverse or prevent it, primarily because the underlying mechanisms of the disease have not been fully elucidated. I will use innovative hydrogel technology to simulate the disease state. I will use this as a tool to identify the mechanisms involved with development of the disease. This will enable identification of potential therapeutic targets for prevention of the disease.