Research Fellowship: Protection Of Myocardial Function In Health And Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$631,010.00
Summary
Heart failure (HF) is a major cause of death in Australia. A/Prof Rebecca Ritchie heads Heart Failure Pharmacology at Baker IDI. Her research focuses on new drug strategies to maintain heart function in response to diabetes & heart attack, common precursors of HF. Many of the treatments discovered from this work are naturally-occurring antioxidants; enhancing their activity will ultimately reduce progression to HF & death in the >3 million Australians affected by these disorders.
We aim to grow body tissues for surgery, including heart muscle, liver and pancreatic islets (for diabetes) and will investigate using stem cells to repair the brain after stroke. We will attempt to boost the expansion of blood vessels in growing tissues using molecular tools we have found crucial for cell signaling. In growing heart tissues and in stroke we will improve drugs that might boost the potential of stem cells to regenerate damaged tissues
Pharmacological Inhibition Of IRAP As A Novel Antifibrotic Strategy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,036,370.00
Summary
There are very few treatments that can reduce heart stiffening, called fibrosis, which is seen in patients with high blood pressure or in patients who have had a heart attack. This project will test new drugs that we have developed that act by a unique mechanism to reverse or prevent cardiovascular disease in patients with poorly-functioning hearts and blood vessels.
Is Overactive Bladder A 'Bladder Itch'? Identification Of Itch Specific Pathways Within The Bladder
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$720,585.00
Summary
Overactive bladder is a leading cause of nocturia, urgency and incontinence. These symptoms arise from sensory nerve fibres in the bladder. We have identified key irritant mechanisms, including the bile acid receptor TGR5 and Mrgpr family, thought to only exist in the skin, also innervate the bladder. We hypothesis that the clinical entity overactive bladder, is triggered by pathological activation of bladder afferents by such irritants and that overactive bladder is essentially a bladder itch.
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.
Adenosine Receptor Biased Agonism To Treat Ischaemic Heart Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$682,163.00
Summary
Adenosine A1 receptor (A1R) activation confers powerful protection to heart cells, however clinical application remains suboptimal due to adverse effects such as a slowing in heart rate and decrease in blood pressure. Importantly a new class of compounds, A1R biased agonists, can mediate potent cardioprotection in the absence of adverse effects. This proposal will establish the molecular mechanisms involved and the scope to develop A1R biased agonists as a novel approach to treat heart disease.
Investigating A Novel Agent To Limit Brain Injury And Post-stroke Complications
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$412,429.00
Summary
Stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, but treatment options remain limited. The goal of this research project will be to examine the potential of new agent to protect the brain against stroke and to also treat complications that typically occur after stroke including infection and weight loss. It is anticipated that this project will ultimately lead to the development of an effective stroke therapy.