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Catheter Based Renal Denervation To Improve Outcomes In Congestive Heart Failure
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$619,194.00
Summary
In heart failure there is a large increase in sympathetic nerve activity that is detrimental to patient outcome, but the factors causing this increased activity are not well defined. There is evidence that renal nerves play a significant role. A novel catheter based technique allows silencing of these nerves. We will test whether this novel technique has the potential to improve the outcomes for patients with heart failure.
A Novel Device To Improve Renal Blood Flow In Cardiorenal Syndrome
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$198,900.00
Summary
The aim of this project is to assist in the development of a novel device to treat poor delivery of blood to the kidneys in conditions such as heart muscle weakness (chronic heart failure, CHF). Specifically we aim to build a prototype and test the device in a relevant animal model of CHF. Chronic heart failure is a major public health problem affecting >10% of the adult population over the age of 60 years. It is associated with high morbidity, mortality, frequent hospitalisation and major co ....The aim of this project is to assist in the development of a novel device to treat poor delivery of blood to the kidneys in conditions such as heart muscle weakness (chronic heart failure, CHF). Specifically we aim to build a prototype and test the device in a relevant animal model of CHF. Chronic heart failure is a major public health problem affecting >10% of the adult population over the age of 60 years. It is associated with high morbidity, mortality, frequent hospitalisation and major cost burden on the public health system. Weak heart muscle results in poor delivery of blood to the kidneys. Poor delivery to the kidneys activates circulating hormones which in turn further impair cardiac function by adverse effects on the heart. We have developed and patented a novel catheter based system for improvement of renal function via a purpose built device. Proof-of-concept studies have shown that the device should improve kidney blood flow in the setting of CHF. Given the huge public health problem of heart failure and the importance of the kidney in this setting, the commercial potential for a simple device that can be positioned via a catheter-based approach, permanently implanted is large. The device is currently being constructed by the Monash University Department of Engineering where expertise exists with regard to biomedical devices and materials engineering. A series of proof-of-concept studies will then be performed in sheep, as the vasculature of the sheep roughly approximates the dimensions of man. Sheep with CHF will have the device inserted percutaneously into the aorta. Measurements will be made of renal artery flow, relevant circulatory hormones and ultrasound of the heart at baseline (pre-deployment) and following deployment. We believe the above studies (should they be successful) will be sufficient to constitute definitive proof-of-concept and thus allow the device to be commercialised, most likely by a licensing arrangement with a device company.Read moreRead less
Renal Sympathetic Denervation As An Adjunct To Catheter-based Ventricular Tachycardia Abaltion
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$188,226.00
Summary
The most common cause of sudden death is lethal heart rhythms. Despite medications and medical procedures, many patients still suffer from these life-threatening rhythms. Treatment of the nerves around the kidneys may alter the production of hormones that contribute to these rhythms which could have a significant impact on these patients.
UTILITY OF NOVEL BIOMARKERS IN THE PREDICTION OF MAJOR COMPLICATIONS OF TYPE II DIABETES MELLITUS
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$510,639.00
Summary
Diabetes is increasingly common. It can cause a variety of complications, the most serious being heart and kidney disease. The reasons why some patients develop such complications are not fully understood so it is difficult to predict who will be affected. The current project will use samples from a large international study of patients with diabetes to assess whether levels of specific markers in the blood help to predict major complications and clarify why they occur.
Renal Artery Denervation Performed With Noncontact Circumferential Endovascular Ablation Using A Novel Microwave Catheter
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$90,967.00
Summary
High blood pressure is a common medical condition leading to death and disability. Some people with high blood pressure do not respond to medical treatment due to abnormal signals from the kidneys that tell the body to increase the blood pressure. We have designed a microwave catheter that can be placed inside the kidney artery and used to heat the kidney nerves around it to stop the relay of these messages. This will lower blood pressure for people who cannot control it with medications alone.
Resistant Hypertension: Causes, Consequences, And Novel Therapeutic Approaches
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$713,517.00
Summary
Two thirds of all strokes and half of all coronary artery disease world-wide can be attributed to uncontrolled blood pressure. Patients with resistant hypertension are at specifically high risk. While the exact reasons remain obscure, work from my group suggests that sympathetic nervous system activation represents a common pathway. Based on these findings the ultimate goal of my research program is to develop novel and more effective treatment strategies for resistant hypertension.
Enhancing Erythropoietin Therapy In Ischaemia-reperfusion Injury Of Heart And Kidney
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$361,021.00
Summary
Heart attacks and kidney disease from a lack of blood flow are common causes of morbidity and have poor treatment options. Erythropoietin (epo) is a useful new treatment, but there remain some caveats to its use in humans: eg. it may cause excessive scarring during repair. Use of epo with an anti-inflammatory drug may decrease scarring and provide benefit to long-term health. We plan to carefully define the biomolecular pathways of injury and repair, to better plan this therapy for human use.
Mechanisms Underlying The Contribution Of Uremic Toxins To Cardiorenal Syndrome
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$413,533.00
Summary
Cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) is an umbrella term that defines disorders of the heart and kidneys whereby “acute or chronic dysfunction in one organ may induce acute or chronic dysfunction of the other”. We have demonstrated a significant association between heart and kidney fibrosis (scarring) and levels of a uremic toxin called indoxyl sulphate (IS), in relevant animal models and that blockade of production of this toxin reduces cardiac fibrosis. This project aims to explore this association.
Targeting Renal And Vascular Inflammation In Hypertension
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$781,589.00
Summary
Inflammation is a hallmark of high blood pressure (A.K.A. hypertension) and underlies clinical complications of the condition such as kidney failure and blood vessel disease. This project will investigate whether a recently described signaling complex termed the 'inflammasome' is a trigger of inflammation in hypertension in the hope of identifying it as a target for new drugs that are more effective in the treatment of hypertension and its complications.
Inadequately controlled blood pressure remains the leading cause of death world wide despite the availability of numerous effective drugs. We have successfully pioneered a catheter-based approach using radiofrequency-energy to disrupt renal nerves and lower blood pressure in patients with resistance to conventional drug treatment. We now aim to test the role of this ground-breaking technology as a potential cure (blood pressure control without antihypertensive medication) for hypertension.