Experimental Cardiology Laboratory

Unit Code

00852

Department/Institution Offering Unit

Baker Medical Research Institute
PO Box 6492
St Kilda Road Central
Melbourne
Victoria 8008 Australia

web: www.baker.edu.au

Unit Points

Research Points: 100

Coursework Points: 0

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Contacts

Unit Coordinator/s:

Dr Xiao-Jun Du
Experimental Cardiology Laboratory
Baker Medical Research Institute
PO Box 6492
St Kilda Road Central
Melbourne
Victoria 8008 Australia

tel: +61 3 9276 2028
fax: +61 3 8532 1100
email: xiaojun.du@baker.edu.au

Alternative Contact:

Dr Helen Kiriazis
Baker Medical Research Institute
PO Box 6492
St Kilda Road Central
Melbourne
Victoria 8008 Australia

tel: +61 3 8532 1304
fax: +61 3 8532 1100
email: helen.kiriazis@baker.edu.au

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Overall Objectives

The project(s) are designed to provide students with essential medical research training. The following aspects are especially addressed:

• an introduction to the way of initiating a research project, critical literature summary, scientific rational and design of experiments
• study in substantial depth in an area related to medicine (cardiac physiology and pathophysiology) through experimental research
• achievement of some commonly used and specialised laboratory research skills
• data collection and statistical analysis
• better understanding of ethics for research using laboratory animals
• improving oral and written communication skills
• experience of conducting research in a team

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Content

Coursework: N/A

Research: Research projects of this laboratory are on cardiac pathophysiology, in particular heart failure and its pathophysiological components, including myocardial hypertrophy, inflammation, fibrosis, myocardial infarction and arrhythmias. The research area provided to AMS students will focus on changes in cardiac function under physiological and diseased conditions, documentation of disease mechanisms, and generation of experimental data to test novel therapeutic approaches. Studies will be carried out either in vivo or in vitro. The use of strains of genetically modified mouse models or cultured cardiac cells will be important approaches to elucidate the mechanisms of these pathological changes. It is expected that student will gain substantial knowledge on parameters that are commonly used for the assessment of cardiac function, haemodynamic abnormalities under diseased conditions, echocardiography, electrocardiography and molecular biology. Method training includes techniques of reproducing heart disease models, measuring cardiac function, handling of experimental animals, cell preparation and culture, performing biochemical and molecular assays, collecting and analysing experimental data, and results presentations.

Sample Research Topics:

1. Echocardiographic assessment of cardiac function in mouse models of heart diseases
2. Inhibition of mTOR signalling by rapamycin regresses pressure overload induced chronic left ventricular hypertrophy
3. Actions of relaxin "in vitro" on cardiac cells focusing on hypertrophy
4. Role of beta-adrenergic receptors in cardiac disease
5. Relaxin protects cardiomyocytes against oxidative stress induced apoptosis
6. Hemodynamic factors relating to the onset of post-infarct ventricular rupture

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Assessment Breakdown

Research Component: 100 points
Research Report (up to 10,000 words): 75%
Supervisor's Evaluation: 15%
Oral presentations at lab meetings and local research meetings: 10%

Coursework Component: 0 points
N/A

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Student Numbers

Number of places available:
3