We aim to improve cardiovascular health for current and future generations across Australia through clinical and translational research.
The Cardiovascular Initiative is a multidisciplinary approach to improving cardiovascular health. It provides common goals for the many unique research and clinical strengths found across the University of Sydney’s staff and affiliates and is built on a cohesive, dynamic and collaborative framework.
The initiative will improve health outcomes for current and future generations by:
We are focused on six multidisciplinary pipelines:
We will be working with experts in precision medicine and translational bioinformatics to facilitate biomarker discovery, development and application in cardiovascular disease using the well-phenotyped cohorts of Sydney Health Partners and its members. This will maximise the opportunities we have from our genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics research teams, as well as more candidate-focused work in vascular inflammation and redox signaling.
Our ultimate goals include discovery of new mechanisms and therapeutic targets for disease, as well as new biomarkers for early risk identification and stratification, thus facilitating improved precision in preventative strategies.Â
Our drug discovery pipeline brings together the expertise of fundamental chemists in drug discovery and small molecule design, with cellular and preclinical models of cardiovascular disease. Working with Sydney Health Partners and using our clinical trials expertise, we will have a keen eye on translation to early phase clinical trials. This will capitalise on the depth of fundamental vascular and myocardial biology embedded in our clinical departments.
The Cardiovascular Initiative will bring our experts in bioengineering, physics and mathematics closer to understanding current cardiovascular problems. Early challenges identified are: tissue engineering (including bioprinting, stem cell work, hydrogel composition, and biomaterials); devices (including percutaneous valves, pacemaker, defibrillators); and fluid dynamics (4D flow cardiovascular MRI; intracoronary flow measures; CT coronary angiography and modelling of flow and shear).
Utilising the experience and support from the NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, the DVCR Clinical Trials support program, and Westmead Applied Research Centre we will work with Sydney Health Partners and the local health districts to improve clinical trial quality, efficiency, impact and associated cost for clinical trials based on fundamental discoveries, and recruitment of participants for biobank cohort studies.
Supporting multicentre Investigator Initiated trials we will build the University of Sydney’s reputation for clinical translation and through collaboration be a strength for attracting translational researchers, enhancing major competitive grant success.
Focussing on value as the basis for identifying research priorities, we will work with the health system and each of the CVI targeted pipelines to translate evidence into practice that improves cardiovascular care, from prevention and primary care through to surgical intervention and secondary prevention.
The Cardiovascular Initiative is supported by its leadership team, members and partners who are committed to the aim of improving cardiovascular health outcomes across Australia through clinical and translational research.Â