Targeting The NLRP3 Inflammasome And Interleukin-18 In Hypertensive Heart Failure
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,241,115.00
Summary
Heart failure is a common complication of hypertension and a major cause of death and disability worldwide. This project will characterise a newly identified inflammatory pathway that we believe to be a major cause of the enlargement and scarring of the heart that accompanies hypertension. We will also trial drugs that block this inflammatory pathway to determine their suitability as future therapies for this devastating disease.
Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a devastating consequence of a number of heart diseases. Underlying causes include inherited heart muscle problems (cardiomyopathies), with no cause found in 40%. Our study will investigate the role of 'concealed cardiomyopathy' cases, i.e. those with a SCD event with no evidence of heart disease, but carry errors in heart genes. Our findings will translate rapidly into more targeted clinical and genetic evaluation of families with the ultimate goal to prevent SCD.
Crossing A Frontier In Cardiac Fibrosis: A Single-cell Multi-omics Approach To Understanding Fibroblast Agency In Models Of Heart Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,199,254.00
Summary
Cardiovascular disease is the most serious cause of mortality and morbidity in society, with one Australian dying every 13 mins. Our focus is on cardiac fibroblasts - changeable cells that regulate the mechanical integrity of the heart, and which are key therapeutic targets in heart disease. Single cell methods have revolutionised the study of complex tissues. Here we will apply molecular assays to thousands of single heart cells to build a new conceptual framework for fighting heart disease.
A Suture-less Cannula For Rapid, Off-bypass Implantation Of Left Ventricular Assist Devices
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$816,491.00
Summary
Heart transplantation is the ideal treatment for 300,000 Australians living with chronic heart failure. The lack of donor hearts necessitates the use of implantable mechanical hearts; however, bleeding and blood clots are common due to outdated surgical tools, poor body-device integration and unnatural device blood flow. This project will address these limitations through the development of a rapid and safe implantation tool that integrates with the body and produces natural blood flow dynamics.
Improving Cardiac Valve Implant Outcomes With Advanced Computer Simulation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$593,367.00
Summary
This project focuses on improving heart valve procedures, specifically focusing on new transcatheter techniques of heart valve implantation. The research uses advanced imaging and computer simulation techniques to predict the outcome and improve minimally invasive heart procedures.
Targeting Neurovascular Communication As A Novel Way Of Reducing Vision Loss In Diabetes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$986,663.00
Summary
Diabetes is a leading cause of blindness. Here, we evaluate whether diabetes causes changes in the way neurons signal to blood vessels, and whether blocking some of the signals from neurons reduces blood vessel abormalities. Overall, this information is critical to our understanding of the early changes that occur during diabetes and whether novel treatments used early in diabetes can prevent long term changes and vision loss.
Dissecting Brain Network Ageing Using Whole Brain Imaging
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$692,964.00
Summary
In this proposal, we will make the first attempt to map the whole brain activity change during ageing using a series of state-of-the-art techniques. We will also identify genetic and pharmacological interventions that improve brain network function during ageing. Outcomes from this research will provide an unprecedented understanding of functional ageing within the brain and identify therapeutic interventions to prevent this process.
Organisation Of The Genome During The Development Of Antibody-secreting Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$886,155.00
Summary
Each cell of our body contains over two metres of DNA that must be correctly packaged in order for our cells to function. We are using cutting-edge molecular biology techniques to study how this DNA circuitry is established in the white blood cells of our immune system that produce antibodies. Our novel approaches will reveal unique strategies to modulate immune responses to our benefit.
A Novel Interaction Between The Immune And Vascular Systems In Early-onset Preeclampsia; An Opportunity For New Treatments?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$921,623.00
Summary
Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication that leads to poor birth outcomes and elevated lifelong cardiovascular disease risk in 4 million women each year. It has no cure and treatments are limited because the causal mechanisms are not understood. We have identified a specialised immune cell in the mother's blood that assists blood vessels to function properly in pregnancy. We will assess whether interventions to enhance these cells can improve poor blood vessel function and pregnancy outcomes.
About one in eight known genetic disorders involve DNA alteration that activates a cellular quality control mechanism that disables the affected gene. This mechanism is more efficient in some individuals than others. It can influence disease outcomes and severity. We will engineer and apply tools and models to measure and manipulate this crucial cellular mechanism. This will allow us to predict disease severity as well as to intervene where a manipulation of this mechanism will be beneficial.