Effect of modification of structural and cellular properties of the arterial wall on functional stiffness of large arteries. The Australian population is ageing, becoming more obese and showing earlier onset of age-related conditions such as high blood pressure, heart failure and inflammatory disorders. All these conditions are associated with possible increase arterial stiffness. Inflammatory disorders in Australia affect one in six people, increasing to one in five in the next decade. An equa ....Effect of modification of structural and cellular properties of the arterial wall on functional stiffness of large arteries. The Australian population is ageing, becoming more obese and showing earlier onset of age-related conditions such as high blood pressure, heart failure and inflammatory disorders. All these conditions are associated with possible increase arterial stiffness. Inflammatory disorders in Australia affect one in six people, increasing to one in five in the next decade. An equal proportion is affected by cardiovascular disease. This combined effect poses a massive burden on the national health budget. This project aims to investigate basic mechanism leading to degeneration of function of larger arteries and therapies to reverse the process and reduce cardiovascular risk in the community.Read moreRead less
The early osteoarthritis (OA) phenotype. Australia like many other developed countries is undergoing a major demographic shift involving significant growth in the aged population. From both a patient perspective and a societal perspective, research into the underlying determinants of osteoarthritis such as those outlined in this proposal are of great importance to the aged population. Nearly one in five Australians has arthritis; indeed more Australians have arthritis than any other national hea ....The early osteoarthritis (OA) phenotype. Australia like many other developed countries is undergoing a major demographic shift involving significant growth in the aged population. From both a patient perspective and a societal perspective, research into the underlying determinants of osteoarthritis such as those outlined in this proposal are of great importance to the aged population. Nearly one in five Australians has arthritis; indeed more Australians have arthritis than any other national health priority condition. From an individual point-of-view, the pain and disability due to osteoarthritis (OA) can lead to loss of independence and diminished in quality of life for older adults.Read moreRead less
Novel human tryptases: their potential role in inflammatory diseases of the young and old. We have discovered a number of novel human tryptases, and while other members of this enzyme family have been implicated in the development of inflammatory diseases (including rheumatoid arthritis), little is known about these new molecules. We aim to characterise these new enzymes by determining what part of the body they are produced in, whether they are associated with specific inflammatory diseases, an ....Novel human tryptases: their potential role in inflammatory diseases of the young and old. We have discovered a number of novel human tryptases, and while other members of this enzyme family have been implicated in the development of inflammatory diseases (including rheumatoid arthritis), little is known about these new molecules. We aim to characterise these new enzymes by determining what part of the body they are produced in, whether they are associated with specific inflammatory diseases, and what target molecules they act on. A better understanding of these factors will increase the chances of finding cures and developing better treatments for important inflammatory diseases of the ageing population.Read moreRead less
Genetics of Postmenopausal Bone Loss. The major consequence of bone loss in our ageing society is fracture. At 50 years for women, the lifetime risk of sustaining an osteoporotic fracture is 50%. The consequences of these fractures, which can include reduced life expectancy, prolonged medical care, and loss of independence, have a profound socioeconomic impact in an ageing population. The proposed study offers a unique opportunity to examine the contribution of genetic factors to postmenopausal ....Genetics of Postmenopausal Bone Loss. The major consequence of bone loss in our ageing society is fracture. At 50 years for women, the lifetime risk of sustaining an osteoporotic fracture is 50%. The consequences of these fractures, which can include reduced life expectancy, prolonged medical care, and loss of independence, have a profound socioeconomic impact in an ageing population. The proposed study offers a unique opportunity to examine the contribution of genetic factors to postmenopausal osteoporosis.Read moreRead less