Control Of Cardiac And Skeletal Contractility By Luminal Calcium Store Load In Health And Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$415,138.00
Summary
Disorders affecting skeletal muscle and the heart can have life threatening effects and lead to impaired mobility and sudden cardiac death. This project will uncover the mechanisms of disorders which lead to skeletal muscle fatigue, chemotherapy induced toxicity in the heart and heart failure. Understanding these mechanisms may lead to successful gene therapy treatment and to the design of a new range of drug therapies to treat these devastating disorders.
Role Of Microvascular Flowmotion In Skeletal Muscle Glucose Metabolism
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$596,971.00
Summary
Obesity and type 2 diabetes are nationally and globally reaching epidemic rates. This project investigates the regulation of blood flow within muscle and its impact on metabolism. Outcomes from the study may lead to diagnostic tools and treatments for cardiovascular disease associated with obesity, hypertension and type 2 diabetes.
Identification Of Novel Secretory Factors From The Heart As New Targets For Metabolic Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$864,012.00
Summary
The incidence of obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease is rising at an alarming rate. The communication between the heart and distal tissues represents an exciting and emerging research area which has the potential to result in the identification of new targets and therapies. Here we will identify novel circulating proteins which could be developed as innovative therapies and ultimately translated into the clinic.
Actions Of The Polyphenol Epigallocatechin 3-gallate On Insulin Sensitivity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$409,746.00
Summary
This project will determine whether the bioactive compound in green tea (called EGCG) can reduce insulin resistance by enhancing the ability of insulin to open very small blood vessels (called capillaries) in muscle. Opening more capillaries will help glucose to be stored in muscle, thus alleviating insulin resistance. Findings from these studies may have important impact on the management of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
Mechanisms Of Vascular Dysfunction During Acute And Chronic Hyperglycemia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$56,700.00
Summary
Increased consumption of sugary drinks has contributed to an epidemic of obesity and diabetes and consequently cardiovascular disease. For the first time in living memory, this may well lead to declining life-expectancy. My research will examine both the short and long-term impact of sugary drinks on vital blood vessel function. In the process it will develop better methods to monitor blood vessel function and inform public health policy on sugary drinks and preventing cardiovascular disease.
Novel Small Molecule FosB/AP-1 Inhibitors For The Prevention Of Proliferative Vascular Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$343,597.00
Summary
This project examines the effect of a novel FosB/AP-1 inhibitor (LK001) on neointima formation after injury in animal models of restenosis, atherosclerosis and abdominal aortic aneurysm, and a human ex vivo model of graft stenosis Given the current prevalence of CVD in Australia and the increasing demographic of susceptible individuals in the ageing population, this project has enormous clinical implications.
RZR-alpha In The Control Of Proliferative Vascular Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$521,706.00
Summary
Four million Australians have cardiovascular disease accounting for 35% of all deaths. CVD is the most expensive disease burden and a National Health Priority. Smooth muscle cell growth is a cause of CVD. However, the mechanisms controlling SMC hyperplasia are poorly understood. This project will provide key insights on the role of RZR-alpha in the pathogenesis of blood vessel disease, and develop novel gene-targeting approaches for new opportunities to control complications of CVD.
Regulation Of Mammalian Heart Regeneration By The MiR-15 Family.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$435,859.00
Summary
The inability of the adult heart to regenerate following a heart attack is a major contributor to the burden of heart disease in the developed world. We have recently discovered that, for a brief period after birth, the newborn heart can completely regenerate itself following injury. Understanding how and why the heart loses this remarkable capacity for regeneration shortly after birth may hold the key for developing cardiac regenerative therapies.
The Critical Roles Of Heme Oxygenase-1 In The Response To Ischemia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$690,593.00
Summary
Heme oxygenase-1 is a protein that recycles our body's iron which itself is essential for life because it is needed for the sensing, transport and use of oxygen we breath. The current project investigates a novel interplay between heme oxygenase-1 and our body’s major response to tissue oxygen becoming limited. By doing so, our project may provide the basis for novel treatments of conditions where arteries are obstructed, such as those that lead to heart attack and amputation.