Funding boost for heart transplant research

A $1.3 million funding boost will support research to improve the lives of Queenslanders with end stage heart and lung failure, and those needing a heart or lung transplant.

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Cameron Dick said the Critical Care Research Group (CCRG) was developing new technologies and treatments to help Queenslanders with heart and lung disease survive longer with a better quality of life.

“Almost 90 per cent of Queenslanders carry the risks associated with heart disease, with some eventually requiring a heart transplant,” Mr Dick said.

“Today we have announced $1.3 million in funding to support the internationally renowned research and development program for cardiothoracic and mechanical assist device (MAD) technology based at The Prince Charles Hospital.”

Mr Dick said the funding was in addition to the $250,000 provided by the Department of Health earlier this year to support a PhD exchange program between Brisbane and Taiwan.

“We’ve already kick started a new research partnership between Brisbane’s Critical Care Research Group and the Centre for Translational Research in Biomedical Sciences in Taiwan, to support life-saving research into heart and lung conditions. The Taiwanese government have already matched this funding,” he said.

“We’re now going a step further, to expand cardio-respiratory mechanical assist device development in Queensland, thereby supporting the My health, Queensland’s future: Advancing health 2026 vision for Queenslanders to be among the healthiest people in the world.

CCRG Director Professor John Fraser said the funding was invaluable and would assist to increase the number and quality of donated organs.

“Unfortunately only 20 per cent of donated hearts are suitable for transplant. This means many patients are waiting for heart transplants, with deteriorating health,” Professor Fraser said.

“The use of mechanical assist devices is rapidly expanding across the world for patients with acute and chronic end stage heart disease.

“By working with some of the best and brightest minds from across the globe, we will integrate innovative engineering solutions and biology, to grow heart and lung stem cells that can assist the patient’s own organs to regrow while being supported by artificial hearts or lungs.

“This exciting research has the potential to help thousands of patients with chronic heart and lung conditions.

“However, in Australia the complexity, cost and risk combine to inhibit the more widespread use of mechanical assist devices. 

“The funding boost from the Government, and a further $1.2 million from The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation, will enable revolutionary and cutting edge world-class research that can be readily translated into lives saved.”

Background

• The Critical Care Research Group (CCRG) is the largest multi-disciplinary research collaborative of its kind in Australasia bringing together professionals from a variety of specialties and backgrounds from across the globe to create and develop innovative solutions to life affecting health issues.
• CCRG’s Director Professor John Fraser currently supervises over 20 PhD, MPhil and honours students in medicine, surgery, basic science, engineering and allied health fields.
• In 2014, the CCRG group was awarded The Centre for Research Excellence (CRE) (one of only of six clinical CRE’s) in Australasia looking at the development and utilisation of bionic hearts and lungs, collaborating throughout Australia, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and China.
• The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation, through the support of the public, has already injected $1.2 million into the CCRG’s research efforts.

ENDS

MEDIA CONTACT:   Laura Gowdie 0413 492 117