13 December 2018
Institute news
National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Project Grants were announced by the Federal Health Minister, Greg Hunt, this week, with the Institute securing more than $7.3m in funding.
This funding will pave the way for a range of pioneering projects including the development of novel therapies for heart failure; the identification of biomarkers for the early detection of Alzheimer's disease; and the development of nanoparticle-based drugs to treat the heart after a heart attack by keeping blood vessels open and preventing tissue damage.
Our scientists also secured a number of postgraduate scholarships to pursue research in areas such as sudden cardiac death and atrial fibrillation.
Congratulations to the following scientists who received NHMRC Projects Grants:
Professor Peter Meikle, Professor Rebecca Ritchie, Dr Francine Marques; Professor Geoff Head, Professor Alex Bobik, Professor Karlheinz Peter and Associate Professor Julie McMullen.
We would also like to congratulate the recipients of Postgraduate Scholarships: Elizabeth Paratz, David Chieng, Prasanna Venkataraman and Jathushan Palasubramaniam.
You can read more about some of the projects here:
Professor Rebecca Ritchie: Therapeutic targeting of heart failure
Professor Ritchie is investigating how and why diseases such as diabetes and ischaemic heart disease (the precursor of heart attack) lead to deterioration in heart function and eventually, to heart failure. Her laboratory has a major focus on finding new treatments for heart failure. As there is currently no cure for heart failure of any cause, this project aims to tackle this major health burden.
Professor Peter Meikle: Defining determinants of Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterised by the progressive loss of cognitive function resulting in dementia. Early identification will be critical for the development and implementation of effective treatment. Metabolism plays an important role in the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease. This project aims to identify and validate blood lipids as biomarkers for the early detection of Alzheimer's disease, and as new therapeutic targets to prevent its onset.
Professor Karlheinz Peter: Novel concepts to treat heart attack
Heart specialists have got better and faster at reopening blocked arteries that cause heart attacks. However, with this reopening, inflammatory blood cells flow in previously oxygen-deprived heart muscle and attack it and paradoxically, cause further damage and heart failure. This project aims to develop novel, highly innovative biotechnological and nanoparticle-based drugs that keep the small vessels open and prevent the build-up of an inflammatory reaction, ultimately rescuing heart tissue and lives.
Associate Professor Julie McMullen: New therapies for the failing heart
There remains an unmet need for therapies for the failing heart. This project aims to develop and evaluate new therapies for targeting a key protective pathway in the heart that will hopefully reduce heart cell death and improve function of the failing heart.