Developing improved non-invasive imaging for assessing heart damage

Ex vivo scans of hearts from fibrotic (left) and control mice which
were administered a unique fluorescent peptide that targets collagen
type I. A striking enhancement of the damaged heart ventricles
is observed. Image: Figure 5 in study

A Monash University team has led the development of novel imaging tracers that could advance non-invasive assessment of heart damage. 

Cardiac fibrosis is a scarring process causing excess deposition of collagen in the heart, leading to distortion of its architecture and function. It is a significant disease feature in many cardiac conditions, including heart failure, atrial fibrillation (AF) and myocardial infarction (MI).

Designer molecule could treat blood clotting without excessive bleeding

Christoph Hagemeyer's Nanobiotechnology group has a number of authors (bolded) on the JAHA paper: L-R Ms Shweta Jagdale, Dr Sumukh Kumble, Mr Sam Cohen, Ms Jasmine Putri, Dr Christoph Hagemeyer, Ms Hannah Pearce, Ms Edwina Jap, Dr Karen Alt,  Dr Thomas Bonnard

by Anne Crawford

A designer molecule developed by Monash University’s Australian Centre for Blood Diseases (ACBD) could prove a potent new treatment for the life-threatening blood clots that cause heart attack and stroke – without the associated side-effect of excessive bleeding.

Heart attack and stroke are leading causes of death and long-term disability in Australia, and are mostly caused by clotting (thrombosis) blocking blood to the heart or brain.

Dr Christoph Hagemeyer, group leader of the ACBD’s NanoBiotechnology Laboratory, said the new molecule had been shown in preclinical tests to be effective and safe, and may overcome limitations of current treatments.