Cardio-respiratory
Our research aims to develop new treatments for regenerating the injured heart. We are also interested in exploring cardiac disease and repair processes to create better therapies and improve patient outcomes after a cardiac event.
We aim to understand the molecular basis of cardiac rhythm and conduction, and to uncover new molecular targets and approaches for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias.
In collaboration with the Cancer Research Centre, we have started by investigating endometrial cancer, breast cancer and melanoma. We are comparing data on patients’ tumours with information on their sleep to understand how obstructive sleep apnoea and other sleep disorders may affect cancer biology.
Cystic fibrosis is the most common inherited disorder in Australia, and is caused by mutations on the CFTR gene. Dysfunction of CFTR affects ion and fluid transport in the lungs, liver, gut and pancreas.
We study the physiology of the upper airway to understand the conditions under which it narrows and collapses, resulting in sleep disordered breathing. Our research focuses on the mechanical properties of the tissues of the upper airway and why they fail in obstructive sleep apnoea
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