Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for 31% of all deaths – more than all forms of cancer combined. Despite the ability of modern medicine to diagnose and treat many of the underlying causes of heart injury, the heart’s ability to regenerate itself after major trauma is poor.
Our research combines basic science with clinical research to create stem cell and growth factor-based therapies for regenerating the injured heart. We also have an interest in cardiac disease and repair processes, and are developing bioengineering tools for disease modelling, investigating of the immune response after myocardial infarction, and exploring the development of cardiomyopathies.
We work closely with the Cardiac Gene Therapy Group, with whom we make up the Centre for Heart Research. We also have extensive collaborations with clinicians at Westmead Hospital, and researchers at The University of Sydney.
To learn more about our research, visit our website here.
Novel treatments to repair/regenerate the injured heart are urgently needed and will have a dramatic impact on morbidity and mortality of patients with heart disease.