A TEAM of scientists at the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute have secured a major funding grant to support their vital research into heart disease over the next five years.
Heart disease is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, and claims the lives of more than 20,000 Australians each year.
The $10m funding will enable work to find new evidence based therapies for treating heart disease, and stimulating heart cell regeneration.
The interdisciplinary team will comprise both basic scientists and clinicians, and will be led by Deputy Director Professor Richard Harvey.
Executive Director, Professor Bob Graham, said: “We are delighted to have secured this funding from the National Health & Medical Research Council.
“The two major areas of focus for us will be to look at the genetic variants in families with inherited heart disease, and the exciting role that stem cell and regenerative therapies could play in the repair of the heart following insult or injury.
“Our overall aim is to then translate this understanding in to new approaches in diagnosis, treatment and prevention.”
Source: Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute
