I am a clinician scientist and fully trained nephrologist. My research involves preclinical and clinical translational approaches to identify new targets and to develop new treatments to prevent, reverse and retard diabetes related micro-and macrovascular
I am a physiologist and my diabetes research involves a preclinical approach to address the issue of diabetes and its major renal and cardiovascular complications
Prof Cooper’s diabetes research encompasses basic mechanisms through to translational research and major clinical trials in order to address the issue of diabetes and in particular the prevention and management of its major renal and cardiovascular complications.
The Role Of Renin-angiotensin And Growth Factors In Developmental And Pathological Neovascularization In The Retina
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$342,562.00
Summary
In the normal retina of newborn babies, the blood vessels in the inner layers are not fully formed. These vessels are probably stimulated to grow by a reduction in retinal oxygen, which initiates the production of growth agents in retinal cells. Once the new vessels are formed the oxygen level of the retina becomes normal, and both the growth agents and blood vessel growth are reduced. A prolonged reduction in oxygen levels in the retina can have serious consequences for vision. Indeed, in some ....In the normal retina of newborn babies, the blood vessels in the inner layers are not fully formed. These vessels are probably stimulated to grow by a reduction in retinal oxygen, which initiates the production of growth agents in retinal cells. Once the new vessels are formed the oxygen level of the retina becomes normal, and both the growth agents and blood vessel growth are reduced. A prolonged reduction in oxygen levels in the retina can have serious consequences for vision. Indeed, in some eye diseases new blood vessel growth is excessive and the vessels are not properly formed, which leads to hemorrhage and ultimately blindness. Such events occur when the oxygen environment of premature babies is reduced after placement in high oxygen incubators. Also, in long-term diabetes, the oxygen levels of the retina falls as the retinal vessels become damaged. To understand the events that cause new vessel growth in retinal development and disease requires identification of the growth agents and their location in the retina. Very recently it has been found that the growth agent renin-angiotensin is made in the retina, and that its blockade in diabetic patients slows the progression of new retinal vessel growth. Renin-angiotensin is likely to cause its growth effects by increasing the production of other retinal growth agents. This proposal will study the role of renin-angiotensin and other growth agents in the developing newborn rat retina and in eye diseases. This information may lead to a further understanding of how blood vessels form in the retinas of newborn babies, and the production of new treatments for eye diseases characterized by blood vessel growth in the retina.Read moreRead less
Microvascular Complications Of Diabetes - Potential Role Of Regenerative Therapies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$32,003.00
Summary
The global burden of diabetes is projected to reach more than 366 million by 2025. According to the AusDiab 2005 study, each year 0.8% of Australians develop diabetes. Diabetes is the leading cause of end-stage kidney disease in Australia. Current treatments slow damage to the kidney, but do not reverse kidney damage. We will explore the potential for adult progenitor cells (endothelial progenitor cells) to reverse damage to the kidney and restore its function.
Interactions Between Fetal Programming And Postnatal Diet In Development Of The Metabolic Syndrome
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$445,578.00
Summary
More than 50,000 Australians die annually from cardiovascular disease, accounting for almost 40% of all deaths. Obesity and high blood pressure are both key risk factors for cardiovascular disease, and so it is crucial that we understand the underlying causes of these conditions and how lifestyle changes, such as diet, can prevent them. We now know that several adult-onset diseases, including high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes, are influenced by how well we grow and develop as a fetus. Th ....More than 50,000 Australians die annually from cardiovascular disease, accounting for almost 40% of all deaths. Obesity and high blood pressure are both key risk factors for cardiovascular disease, and so it is crucial that we understand the underlying causes of these conditions and how lifestyle changes, such as diet, can prevent them. We now know that several adult-onset diseases, including high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes, are influenced by how well we grow and develop as a fetus. This effect, known as 'fetal programming', means that if we have a poor environment as a fetus (eg, maternal undernutrition), we are more likely to develop health problems such as high blood pressure many years later. In this study we are interested in how the events in fetal life 'program' these later health problems, and how we might reverse the adverse effects by lifestyle changes after birth. We have developed an animal model in which high blood pressure and problems with fat and muscle function that can lead to obesity and diabetes. These detrimental effects on adult health can be completely prevented in our model by placing offspring on a diet rich in omega-3 fats from the time of birth. These fats are commonly found in fish oil and are well known for their beneficial effects on cardiovascular function. The present proposal will extend these findings by determining whether omega-3 fatty acids can reverse the adverse programming outcomes after they have emerged in adult life. We will also investigate whether fetal programming effects are made even worse by the consumption of excess total dietary fat during development to adulthood, and if this effect can also be overcome by supplementation of the diet with omega-3 fats.Read moreRead less