Cardiovascular & Metabolic Disease

The CTRU studies the building blocks of cell architecture and develops therapeutic strategies based on drug-targeting these building blocks. Our focus is the actin cytoskeleton that is responsible for the internal scaffolds of cells, the generation and reaction to force exerted by the environment and the movement of cells throughout the body. 

The Khachigian Group has 2 principal aims:

1. To better understand how potentially harmful genes are controlled in vascular cells. 
2. To develop novel vascular therapeutic agents for cardiovascular and inflammatory disease, tumour growth and metastasis. 

Our lab investigates cellular and physiological mechanisms used by autonomic systems; cardiovascular, respiratory and glucoregulatory. Physiological reflexes (e.g. baroreflex, chemoreflex, glucose counter regulation) function to maintain homeostasis in the healthy state.

Our research addresses critical questions concerning how provision of a varied, energy rich diet can override the control mechanisms that otherwise maintain body weight, with a particular focus on the brain-gut axis and cognitive decline, using rodent models.  

The Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease Research Group is co-led by Prof. Kerry-Anne Rye, opens in a new window and A/Prof. Shane Thomas. The research group consists of post-doctoral scientists, PhD students and honours students.