Development Of Guanylate Cyclase Activators For The Treatment Of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$137,684.00
Summary
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a life threatening condition with few treatment options. It is marked by shortness of breath and reduced energy as a result of an unexplained constriction of the blood vessels in the lung. This results in reduced life expectancy. We are developing a new treatment that will relax the blood vessels in the lung to improve quality and length of life.
Development Of Oral Natriuretic-like Peptides For Chronic Treatment Of Congestive Heart Failure
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$389,533.00
Summary
Congestive heart failure is fatal disease and a major disease burdon for the community affecting nearly half a million Australians.. Current therapies are inadequate and very limited in prolonging life. We seek to develop a new peptide therepy based on the effectivness of human B type natriuetic peptide which has to be given by injection. Our aim is to produce an orally active and effective treatment based on peptides discovered in snake venom. The program involves testing in animals and cells
Development Of A Computer-based Retinal Imaging Program For Identification Of People At Risk Of Cardiovascular Disease.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$254,714.00
Summary
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death and imposes an enormous financial and healthcare burden on the Australian community. This project will develop and deliver a novel clinical prediction tool, incorporating retinal vascular imaging and assessment, to improve identification of asymptomatic people who are at high risk of cardiovascular disease at an early stage, allowing implementation of preventative strategies and medical interventions to effectively prevent CV disease.
Performance And Safety Testing Of The BioQ Cardiac Assist System In A Chronic Ovine Heart Failure Animal Model
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$142,800.00
Summary
This proposal will test a novel cardiac assist system in safety and performance studies using a chronic sheep heart failure model. This device has been tested in cardiovascular simulators and in an acute animal model showing attractive proof-of-concept data. Specifically, the device increased left coronary artery blood flow and reduced aortic pulse and mean pressures using our novel self-powered fully implantable stand alone device, a potential therapy treatment for heart failure.
Development Of Non-surgical Approach To Treating Tricuspid Regurgitation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$266,427.00
Summary
Heart failure is a common problem in which the heart enlarges and contracts poorly. In association with enlargement of the heart, the heart valves also begin to fail causing further worsening of quality and length of life. Failure of the tricuspid valve occurs in upto 87% of patients with heart failure and presently the only treatment option is high risk heart surgery. We are developing a way of dealing with tricuspid valve failure that does not require cardiac surgery.
Novel Nanoparticle Composites For Molecular Probes In Diagnostic Imaging
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$170,716.00
Summary
Isotope labelled protein probes, eg. antibodies, are a valuable imaging tool in investigating patient disease. Their biological specificity is their great strength, however, detection sensitivity often limits their use. A novel nanoparticle developed at ANU can increase this signal by a million-fold in comparison with conventional methods of labelling. This approach suits a range of probes and will accommodate many of the isotopes already used in patient diagnostics and therapy.
Development Of Oral Natruiretic Peptides For Congestive Heart Failure
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$511,037.00
Summary
Congestive heart failure is fatal disease and a major disease burden for the community affecting nearly half a million Australians. Current therapies are inadequate. We seek to develop a new peptide therapy based on snake venom version of the human B type natriuretic peptide which has to be given by injection. We will produce an orally active, stable and effective treatment using a program of discovery involving testing in animals and cells.
Innovations For Better Cardiovascular Prevention In Primary Care
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$294,285.00
Summary
The goal of this project is to take a new concept for cardiovascular disease management through the proof-of-concept stage and deliver a novel model for cardiovascular disease management. When proven, the application of this new process for service delivery will provide a low-cost way of closing the gap between guideline recommendations and current management of vascular disease in Australian primary care settings.
Novel Soluble Guanylate Cyclase Activators For Pulmonary Artery Hypertension
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$474,087.00
Summary
Pulmonary hypertension (elevated blood pressure in the lungs) is a life-threatening condition with few treatment options. We have recently identified a new class of drug that may improve blood vessel function in the lungs and thereby provide a new drug for the management of this group of patients.
Microfluidic Device Fo The Quantitative Assessment Of Blood Platelet Aggregation Behaviour
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$270,114.00
Summary
This project will develop a low-cost microfluidic chip which utilises dynamic shear stress to assess the propensity of blood clotting. This tool will analyze a tiny sample of blood and will predict excessive or ineffective clotting. The project will develop the chip and a low-cost 'chip reader' such that the tool can be operated at the point of care with only basic training.