17 October 2006
Leading Heart Researchers Plan National Group
Leading scientists and clinicians engaged in cardiac research in NZ are gathering in Christchurch on Wednesday October
18 to discuss the setting up of a national collaborative heart research group. The all day seminar involving 45
researchers is at The Chateau on the Park, Deans Avenue, Christchurch.
The National Research Centre for Heart Health (NRCHH) will bring together key heart researchers to enhance NZ’s research
capabilities and improve translation to health care in hospitals and the community. The Centre would not be a stand
alone unit, in one location, but will link with other clinicians and scientists performing leading edge heart research
in Auckland, Hamilton and Dunedin.
The expertise present at this meeting will cover the research spectrum from scientists defining the role of gene
variation as an underlying factor in heart disease, through to biochemists and bioengineers who explore changes within
heart cells, to those with knowledge of the structure and function of the heart and blood vessels, and
clinicians/scientists who share bedside and outpatient care of patients with heart disease.
Professor Richards from the University of Otago's Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Sciences says New Zealand
cardiovascular research already has a world-wide reputation, despite our size, particularly in the area of heart
hormones as bio-markers for
diagnosis and treatment of heart disease and heart failure.
The 40 person Christchurch Cardioendocrine Research Group, led by Professor Richards, has been instrumental in carrying
out ground- breaking research in this area over the last decade.
Its clinically-driven studies into the significance of hormones secreted by the heart, have resulted in major
improvements in treatment for heart failure internationally and the use of
Christchurch-designed tests to measure blood hormone levels both in Europe and North America. This has improved cardiac
treatment for hundreds of thousands of people every year.
The National Research Centre for Heart Health aims to apply for funding under the Government's Centre for Research
Excellence (CoRE)
ENDS