Cardiovascular and Renal 

Cardiovascular Discovery Group

The Cardiovascular Discovery Group focuses on identifying new ways to treat cardiovascular disease. The key aim of our research is to improve the survival and wellbeing of people with heart disease and those who are susceptible to developing the disease. We do this through a research program of translational and clinical research.

Our team works across the leading academic hospital, Royal North Shore Hospital and the Kolling Institute. This means we are in a good position to transfer our research outcomes to clinical practice. It also means our clinical experience directly informs our research programs. Our current research involves translational basic science, clinical trials and patient studies.

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Cardiac Biology and Heart Failure

The Cardiac Biology and Heart Failure laboratory aims to understand the intricate biological processes of cardiac diseases that ultimately lead to heart failure.

Our laboratory is particularly interested in the contribution of a class of proteins known as neuropeptides to the development of heart failure. This includes interactions of neuropeptides with cardiac inflammatory cells and the resident cardiac cells in the development of cardiac fibrosis - a major hallmark in heart failure.

Our laboratory establishes cause and effect relationships in various cardiac disease models. We then identify associations in large pre-clinical models and humans. Our research end goal is to identify molecules for a therapeutic target to prevent heart failure.

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Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Group

The Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Group focuses on developing state-of-the-art cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging techniques to better understand heart disease. Through this, we are seeking to improve diagnosis and develop new treatment options for patients with the disease.

We are also looking to gain a better understanding of associated imaging and diagnostic techniques including echocardiography, x-ray computed tomography (CT), cardiovascular nuclear imaging and electrocardiography (ECG).

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Cardiac Membrane Biology Laboratory

The Cardiac Membrane Biology Laboratory aims to improve the lives of people suffering cardiac related health issues.

Our research focuses on one of the body’s most crucial molecules – a molecule which is vital for the contraction of heart cells and therefore the pumping of the heart. As we develop a better understanding of this molecule through laboratory-based experiments, we explore treatments for heart failure, irregular heartbeat and heart damage following cancer treatment.

Our laboratory-based research has led to the discovery of a new potential treatment for heart failure. We are about to begin a clinical trial of this approach with our collaborators based in Denmark.

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Diabetes Clinical Trials Unit

The Diabetes Clinical Research Unit is a service linked with the Department of Diabetes,

Endocrinology and Metabolism at Royal North Shore Hospital. Its mission is to provide a cohesive, quality-controlled approach to investigator-based and externally funded clinical and basic research. The Diabetes clinical research unit is Involved in numerous international and national clinical trials encompassing diabetes, obesity, and associated metabolic diseases. Diabetes research includes research into Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, diabetes in pregnancy, and into the prevention of diabetes.

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Cardiovascular Discovery Group

The Cardiovascular Discovery Group focuses on identifying new ways to treat cardiovascular disease. The key aim of our research is to improve the survival and wellbeing of people with heart disease and those who are susceptible to developing the disease. We do this through a research program of translational and clinical research.

Our team works across the leading academic hospital, Royal North Shore Hospital and the Kolling Institute. This means we are in a good position to transfer our research outcomes to clinical practice. It also means our clinical experience directly informs our research programs. Our current research involves translational basic science, clinical trials and patient studies.

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Cancer Genetics Laboratory

The Cancer Genetics Laboratory studies cancers of endocrine organs, many of which develop as a result of hereditary syndromes.

Our research team has expertise in cancer biology, diagnostic genetic testing, family counselling and targeted surveillance programs.

Our research translates discoveries in genetic research to improved clinical care for patients with endocrine cancers.

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Haematology

The Northern Blood Research Centre is the research division of Royal North Shore Hospital’s Department of Haematology and Transfusion Medicine.

Our projects focus on improving patient care through a better understanding of clinical disorders. We run trials of new anti-cancer agents and immunotherapy to overcome drug resistance. We also examine cellular systems to model disease states.

Our group of clinicians, scientists and nurses run research programs in thrombosis and haemostasis, lymphoproliferative disorders, stem cell biology and transplant outcomes.

Our laboratory is an international reference centre for platelet disorders, and provides training for young clinicians and scientists establishing careers in haematology.

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Cardiovascular and Hormonal Research Laboratory

The Cardiovascular and Hormonal Research Laboratory has a clinical and translational research focus. It investigates the sex differences in heart disease, and examines the measurement and management of blood pressure.

The research lab is positioned within the Kolling Institute at Royal North Shore Hospital, ensuring research progress directly influences clinical care. It also ensures patient experiences inform the direction of research activity.

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Women and Babies Research

Women and Babies Research aims to inform, evaluate and improve health policy and service delivery for mothers and babies. Our overall goal is to ensure a healthy start to life.

Whilst every expectant parent looks forward to celebrating the birth of a healthy baby, some families are faced with pregnancy or newborn complications. We investigate factors linked to pregnancy problems such as preterm birth, stillbirth, fetal growth restriction, hypertension and diabetes in pregnancy.

We assess clinical interventions and models of care to determine the best course of action for those who experience difficulties during pregnancy or during the birthing process. This research is vital in understanding how pregnancy complications are best prevented and managed.

We also know that what happens before and during pregnancy and birth can influence the course of a newborn’s life and increase their risk of obesity, chronic disease and other long-term adverse outcomes. Research has shown that events in pregnancy and birth can also impact the longer-term outcomes of children, including their behaviour, academic performance and physical health. The goal of all our work is to ensure optimal health for mothers and their babies.

Women and Babies Research is a partnership between the University of Sydney and the Northern Sydney Local Health District based at Royal North Shore Hospital.

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Cardiac Biology and Heart Failure

The Cardiac Biology and Heart Failure laboratory aims to understand the intricate biological processes of cardiac diseases that ultimately lead to heart failure.

Our laboratory is particularly interested in the contribution of a class of proteins known as neuropeptides to the development of heart failure. This includes interactions of neuropeptides with cardiac inflammatory cells and the resident cardiac cells in the development of cardiac fibrosis - a major hallmark in heart failure.

Our laboratory establishes cause and effect relationships in various cardiac disease models. We then identify associations in large pre-clinical models and humans. Our research end goal is to identify molecules for a therapeutic target to prevent heart failure.

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Nursing & Midwifery

The Northern Sydney Local Health District Nursing and Midwifery Research Centre located within the Kolling Institute provides support, training and consultation to enable nurses and midwives to conduct research, undertake practice development and innovate within our health care systems. Our work in the centre focuses on supporting our colleagues to provide the highest possible quality care and treatment through inquiry, analysis and implementation of the best available evidence.

Comprising a large proportion of the health workforce, nurses and midwives have a key role in the care and treatment of patients and women in Northern Sydney Local Health District. Their research and innovation in all specialities and services is diverse and impactful.

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Preventative Cardiology and Heart Failure

Professor Geoffrey Tofler and his research group are investigating new approaches to prevent cardiovascular disease. The team is also examining ways to maximise the outcome of patients with known disease.

The group’s investigations are assisted by local, national and international collaborations. Their work includes population and clinical research, as well as a focus on genetics.

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Renal Clinical Trials

The Royal North Shore Hospital Renal Clinical Trial Unit has a strong research history, participating in Phase 2 to Phase 4 clinical research for more than 20 years. We have a high performing, research-oriented unit, working to deliver best-practice healthcare and overall community wellbeing.

With a strong focus on collaboration, our unit works closely with the community, our workforce and research partners to provide high-quality, evidence-based healthcare.

The Renal Clinical Trial Unit is led by a clinician supported by two full time trial coordinators and a part time research associate. At any given time, our team co-ordinates 15 to 25 investigator-initiated or industry sponsored clinical trials, while also working in a busy clinical environment caring for patients with kidney diseases.

Our research investigates a broad range of conditions including, chronic kidney disease, diabetic kidney disease, cardiovascular health, glomerular disease, dialysis and its related complications, transplantation, hypertension, renal supportive care and pregnancy related outcomes.

The Renal Clinical Trial Unit is currently undertaking a range of investigator-initiated and industry-sponsored trials.

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Renal

The renal research team’s overarching goal is to improve the lives of patients with chronic kidney disease.

We are working to achieve this by:

• Generating new knowledge about the cause of progressive kidney disease
• Developing new diagnostic tests to predict those who will develop kidney failure
• Discovering new medicines to prevent and treat kidney disease
• Applying our discoveries to human clinical trials
• Bringing new tests and therapies to market with our industry colleagues

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Translational Cardiology Research Laboratory

With coronary artery disease the leading cause of death in men and women in Australia, Professor Ravinay Bhindi and his team from the Kolling Institute and Royal North Shore Hospital are working to improve treatment for the disease. Our overall aim is to improve the understanding, survival and quality of life of patients with coronary artery disease. Our research spans from the molecular and pre-clinical laboratory to clinical trials and studies. We examine basic models of heart disease to understand the mechanisms and pathways involved in the development of coronary artery disease.

New technology is assisting our research as we take advantage of innovative computer modelling supported by artificial intelligence. We are also using cutting edge technology in the cardiac catherisation laboratory for patients undergoing coronary angiography and stent implantation. This includes the use of intravascular imaging using optical coherence tomography, where we can see inside the coronary arteries of patients and determine the effects of coronary artery disease on blood flow.

Our research is examining the way heart valves degenerate and fail. We are investigating new minimally invasive techniques of valve replacement, including transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

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