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Cardiovascular & Metabolic Disease

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CT images on black film of human heart and coronary artery

The research of the Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases theme addresses critical questions concerning the impact of ageing, family history and lifestyle factors on chronic disease risk and the development of innovative preventive therapies.

Research groups

Hardeman & Gunning Group: Cytoskeleton Therapeutics Research Unit (CTRU)

The CTRU studies the building blocks of cell architecture and develops therapeutic strategies based on drug-targeting these building blocks. Our focus is the actin cytoskeleton that is responsible for the internal scaffolds of cells, the generation and reaction to force exerted by the environment and the movement of cells throughout the body. 

Electrical and chemical signals generated within cells, tissues and organ systems drive vital functions. Izzy Jayasinghe and her team investigate how these signals are relayed to trigger a heartbeat, and drive other bodily functions, by combing super-resolution microscopy tools they develop with existing technologies.

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Khachigian Group: Vascular Biology and Translational Research

The Khachigian Group has 2 principal aims:

  1. To better understand how potentially harmful genes are controlled in vascular cells. 
  2. To develop novel vascular therapeutic agents for cardiovascular and inflammatory disease, tumour growth and metastasis. 
Kumar Group: Cardiorespiratory Neuroscience

Our lab investigates cellular and physiological mechanisms used by autonomic systems; cardiovascular, respiratory and glucoregulatory. Physiological reflexes (e.g. baroreflex, chemoreflex, glucose counter regulation) function to maintain homeostasis in the healthy state.

Morris Group: Environmental Determinants of Obesity

Our research addresses critical questions concerning how provision of a varied, energy rich diet can override the control mechanisms that otherwise maintain body weight, with a particular focus on the brain-gut axis and cognitive decline, using rodent models.  

Rye & Thomas Group: Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease Research

The Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease Research Group is co-led by Prof. Kerry-Anne Rye, opens in a new window and A/Prof. Shane Thomas. The research group consists of post-doctoral scientists, PhD students and honours students.Â