Development Of New Heart Failure Therapeutics By Analysing Signalling In Heart Failure As A Network
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$314,965.00
Summary
After detailed analysis of cell signalling in diseased heart tissue we will facilitate the discovery of new therapeutic drug targets to stop the progression of heart failure in its early stages. It is hoped that the detailed analysis of heart failure signalling as a network rather than as individual pathways will enable the discovery of drugs which are more successful in stopping the progression of heart failure than the currently available drugs.
Evaluating The Potential Of HERG Channel Agonists As Mechanistically Targeted Antiarrhythmics
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$414,786.00
Summary
Abnormal heart rhythms cause ~10 % of deaths in the western world and this number is increasing. To date there has been little success in identifying drugs that are effective in treating these disorders. By studying a rhythm disturbance called long QT syndrome we will examine whether specifically targeting drugs to the molecular building blocks of these arrhythmias is an appropriate route for development of more effective drugs.
Using Nkx2-5 Knock-in Mouse Models To Understand Complex Cardiac Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$611,340.00
Summary
The most common cause of postnatal mortality is heart defects associated with mutation in transcriptional factors, of which NKX2-5 is the master gene. NKX2-5 is also involved in cardiac dysfunction in adults. We developed a unique mouse genetic approach that mimics human disease to study the mechanism behind this gene function. Our work paves the way to more efficient forecast, counseling and treatment strategies, reducing the socio-economic burden of congenital heart disease our community.
The Structural Basis For Promiscuity Of Drug Binding To HERG K+ Channels
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$713,035.00
Summary
Special proteins called ion channels control the electrical activity of the heart. Drugs that block ion channels can have the unwanted side-effect of altering the rhythm of the heart beat and causing sudden cardiac death. Extensive efforts are made to screen for this problem during drug development but it is still an inexact science. Here we will use high resolution imaging technologies to get a better understanding of how drugs bind to ion channel proteins.
Targeting A Novel Long Non-coding RNA That Is Dysregulated In Skeletal And Cardiac Muscle Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$621,557.00
Summary
Recently, evidence suggests that cellular pathways that promote disease in skeletal and cardiac muscle, may be significantly influenced by a new class of molecules known as lncRNAs. Indeed a handful of studies have shown that therapies which target lncRNAs, can reduce disease severity. Thus, the identification of new lncRNAs that influence muscle health may present new therapeutic options to treat muscle diseases, where very few treatments currently exist. Here, we describe one such lncRNA.
Substrate Mapping And Ablation Of Ventricular Tachycardia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$444,129.00
Summary
Sudden death is a tragic occurrence and can afflict Australians of all ages, racial and ethnic backgrounds. This research will aim to understand abnormalities in the heart muscle that cause dangerous heart rhythm abnormalities, which is the most common cause of sudden death. We will study ways to improve the technology of keyhole cardiac procedures so that it can be used to prevent these arrhythmias from occurring in the first place, and in improving the chance of long-term successful cure.