The proposed projects will study new mechanisms that may be involved in a disease that results in increase in blood pressure in the lungs, which is called pulmonary hypertension. This disease is very deadly and despite the progress made, the survival rates within five years of diagnosis remain unacceptably low (up to 50 per cent of patients may die or require heart-lung transplantation). Therefore, research in this area is of high priority.
We will study two different drugs both in the basic science lab, and if these studies support our theories; and as suggested by the safety of the target drugs that are already in use in patients for other diseases; we believe that the second part of the project where we will test these drugs in patients is practically feasible, promising to add two new drugs for treatment of pulmonary hypertension.
I have studied new intricate methods in my post-doctoral studies In the United States which I am excited to establish back in my lab in Australia. This has also provided the team with the opportunity for collaboration with centers of excellence internationally, which will be key in conducting a multi-center clinical study. The proposed team consist of clinician-scientist who can lead both the basic science project and the human trial.