Research

Cardiovascular disease and cancer remain the most important causes of morbidity and mortality. Our work has increased our understanding of the fundamental transcriptional mechanisms that lead to the inducible expression of key regulatory genes in vascular cells. We have pioneered the development of novel strategies targeting “master switch regulators” in a variety of vascular disorders. more»

We are working towards understanding how high-density lipoproteins, or “good” cholesterol, protect against heart disease, inflammation in blood vessels and diabetes. We aim to identify the processes responsible for these beneficial effects, with a view to developing novel therapies for preventing disease onset, and slowing down or stopping their progression. more»

We are interested in how molecules regulating aberrant proliferation and apoptosis of cells can lead to diabetes and cardiovascular diseases including atherosclerosis, calcification and ischemia-induced neovascularisation. Tumour necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a protein that causes death of cells. Our research aims are to understand how TRAIL is regulated in the vasculature and to understand its functions, particularly in the development of diabetes.

Although many acute infectious diseases are now effectively controlled by vaccination, we currently lack vaccines for many chronic infectious agents. The Complex Systems in Biology group aims to understand the basic dynamics and pathogenesis of these infections, how the immune system interacts with them, and ultimately how we can control them. more»

Our research aims to identify the principles that govern the organisation of lipids and proteins within the plasma membrane and thus define the mechanism of signal transduction processes. The overriding quest is to determine how specialised membrane domains organise signalling pathways. more»

Over the past decade, technological advances have enabled unprecedented in-depth studies of biological systems. This, however, has created challenges for modern medical and biological sciences: how to make sense of the sheer amount of experimental data generated? more»

Our research focuses on elucidating the mechanisms of molecular motors in cellular assembly and disassembly processes using a combination of biochemical and biophysical approaches. In particular we develop fluorescence imaging approaches to visualise the dynamics of these processes at the single-molecule level. more»

The focus of the research is megakaryocyte / platelet pathobiology. It can be broadly divided into two areas: (1) transcription regulation of megakaryopoiesis, and (2) platelet pathobiology. more»

The Redox Cell Signalling Laboratory focuses on two major research areas:
1. Identification of the redox reactions and cell signaling pathways important for endothelial dysfunction during vascular disease; 2. Roles and Regulation of Indoleamine 2, 3-Dioxygenase. more»

Colin was Foundation Director of the CVR for 16 years until 2008. He is Scientia Professor in the School of Medical Sciences and the Prince of Wales Clinical School, UNSW. His research focused on occlusive vascular disease including fibrinolysis, the characterisation & function of platelet granules, particularly PDGF, and aspects of the antiphospholid syndrome and vWF multimerisation. He is a Past-President of the Australian Vascular Biology Society, member of the Senior Advisory Council of the Scientific and Standardisation Committee of the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH), and was President of the XXth Congress of the ISTH in Sydney in 2005.

The major research interest of the Cancer and Vascular Biology Group is the molecular basis of cell adhesion, cell migration and cell invasion, with a particular emphasis on the immune system, tumour metastasis and the growth of new blood vessels (angiogenesis). more»

Our research aims to understanding how redox processes contribute to atherosclerosis, related disorders and diabetes; and how this can be exploited to develop novel therapeutics. more»

The ability of malignant tumour cells to escape from primary tumour sites and spread through the circulation to other sites in the body (metastasis) is what makes cancer such a deadly disease. Understanding the molecular basis of cell invasion and angiogenesis is vital to develop strategies to combat cancer spread and inflammatory disease. more»

The aim of the first project is to identify genes that regulate the process of thrombopoiesis. We have shown that 85% of the normal variation in platelet count in humans is genetically determined. more»

The interest of our laboratory lies in understanding the mechanisms whereby leukocytes exit the bloodstream and enter sites of inflammation. Leukocyte recruitment underlies the pathology of inflammatory diseases such as asthma, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis and diseases of the vasculature such as atherosclerosis, and as such is a major potential therapeutic target for these conditions. more »