Cardiovascular and Respiratory Sciences
Understanding the major causes and prevention of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in Australia but the causes of developing CVD are complex. As well as diet and lifestyle factors, susceptibility to CVD is known to have a significant genetic component, however this is not yet well understood.
Respiratory issues affect more than one in four Australians and 14 per cent of all deaths in Australia are caused by a lung disease-related illness.
The Cardiovascular and Respiratory Sciences team runs various research programs aimed at understanding the basic mechanism of disease processes and how to provide better treatment or preventative strategies.
One in six Australians will be affected by cardiovascular disease
More than 10% of health issues in Australia relate to lung issues
One in seven people in Australia die of a lung disease-related illness
Current projects
- Nutritional biochemistry and cardiovascular disease
- Therapeutic approaches to treat obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease
- Cardiovascular disease and the Busselton Family Heart Study
- Epithelial-Mesenchymal cell communication; towards new therapeutic targets for fibrosis
- Fibroblast senescence as a driver of pulmonary fibrosis
- Paediatric asthma
Our courses
News
Abdominal fat and cardiovascular disease
UWA researcher Dr Gemma Cadby and colleagues at UWA and Curtin have shown for the first time that genes known to be associated with cardiometabolic syndrome (CMS) may also be associated with central adiposity (abdominal fat), independent of obesity.
Read moreResearchers find new way to study cholesterol
An international team of researchers has developed a new way of visualizing the distribution of cholesterol in cells and tissues. Their studies, which provide unique insights into the movement of cholesterol into and out of cells, could eventually lead to new therapies for cardiovascular disease.
Read moreResearch finds Vitamin D is important for respiratory health
A new study carried out by The University of Western Australia, the Busselton Health Study and Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has found Vitamin D deficiency can contribute to poor respiratory functioning and health in middle-aged adults.
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