Centre for Heart Research

Led by Professor James Chong and Professor Eddy Kizana, the Centre for Heart Research (CHR) is composed of the Cardiac Gene Therapy and Cardiac Regeneration Groups, dedicated to finding cures for common heart conditions and reducing cardiac-related mortality, which remains the leading cause of death in Australia, affecting approximately 1.4 million people. CHR's research aims to tackle critical issues such as sudden death from heart rhythm instability and heart failure following a heart attack. The Cardiac Gene Therapy Group focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms of cardiac rhythm and conduction to develop novel treatments for arrhythmias, while the Cardiac Regeneration Group seeks to create innovative therapies for repairing the damaged heart and improving recovery outcomes. The Centre employs a diverse range of research techniques, including in vivo models, animal studies, and phase 1 clinical trials, ensuring a robust preclinical testing capacity for safety and efficacy before human applications. CHR has established strong collaborations with leading institutions such as the Children’s Medical Research Institute, Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, and universities across Australia, with an ambitious vision for 2030 to lead in translational cardiac research and partner in the commercialization of regenerative therapies.