Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its comorbid complications constitute major public health problems worldwide. They are highly prevalent, increasing in incidence, associated with significant mortality and morbidity, and impose a great economic drain. Already significant, the burden of disease looms even larger with a rapidly ageing population increasingly affected by obesity and diabetes. In this context, novel strategies for cardiovascular management are urgently required. Importantly, they need to be not only effective, but also cost-effective.
The central aim of our study is the exploration of novel therapies for the treatment of cardiovascular and co-morbid diseases such as chronic kidney disease (CKD), dyslipidaemia and diabetes mellitus. Our research has been focused on the identification of novel cell-signalling, neuro-hormonal and growth factor pathways important in the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases and co-morbid disease (such as kidney disease), and evaluation of potential pharmacological strategies to therapeutically manipulate these pathways. The main areas of the research including development of novel, direct anti-fibrotic agents, novel cardiac protective agent and the mechanisms underlying cardio-renal syndrome.