Adult Stem Cell Biology and Cell Based Therapies
Our Research
Our research aims to determine the potential for adult stem cells to be used therapeutically in improving cardiovascular tissue repair in particular the formation of new blood vessels. Together with our affiliated group in New York, we have initiated projects identifying further benefits of stem cell therapy in animal models of cardiovascular and kidney disease, to assess the clinical benefits for the use in patients. To do this we are examining chemokine/receptor interactions involved in regulating stem cell trafficking, and the cellular mechanisms which stem cells are retained in tissues to produce their beneficial effects.
Our staff and students
- PROFESSOR SILVIU ITESCU
- ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR DARREN KELLY
- DR ANDREW KOMPA
- DR HENRY KRUM
- MS FIONA SEE
Our collaborators
- Departments of Surgery, Medicine and Pathology, Columbia University
- Professor Henry Krum, Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Monash University Medical School
- A/Professor Tony Schwarer, Bone Marrow Transplantation (BMT) Unit, Alfred Hospital
- The Departments of Haematology, Cardiology St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne
Our major grants
NHMRC program grant 334008
Our key publications
- Kompa AR, See F, Lewis DA, Adrahtas A, Cantwell DM, Wang B, Krum H. 2008. Long-term but not short-term p38 MAPK inhibition improves cardiac function and reduces cardiac remodeling post-MI. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, 325: 741-750.
- Phrommintikul A, Tran L, Kompa AR, Wang BH, Adrahtas A, Cantwell DM, Kelly DJ, Krum H. 2008. Effects of a Rho kinase inhibitor on pressure overload induced cardiac hypertrophy and associated diastolic dysfunction American Journal of Physiology - Heart and Circulation, 294: H1804-1814.
- Morritt AN, Bortolotto SK, Dilley RJ, Han XL, Kompa AR, McCombe D, Wright CE, Itescu S, Angus, JA, Morrison WA. 2007 Cardiac Engineering in an in vivo vascularized chamber. Circulation, 115 (3): 353-360.
Further information
Contact - enquiries @ medstv.unimelb.edu.au