Dr Chrishan Samuel
PhD
RD Wright and NHFA (co-funded) Career Development Fellow
Neuropeptides Group
Laboratory Head, Relaxin-Fibrosis Laboratory
Contact Details
E-mail: | |
Phone: | +61 (0)3 8344 0416 |
Fax: | +61 (0)3 9348 1707 |
Dr Samuel is currently a NHMRC R.D. Wright and NHFA (co-funded) Career Development Fellow and is also an Honorary Fellow in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne. He currently heads the Relaxin-Fibrosis Laboratory (within the Neuropeptides group), which aims to establish the anti-fibrotic/therapeutic effects of the peptide hormone, relaxin.
Research Interests
- The peptide hormone relaxin plays a number of important physiological roles within the body, many of which are associated with its ability to stimulate collagen remodelling in several of the major organs during growth/development and pregnancy. It is well established that relaxin’s ability to regulate collagen turnover is essential for softening the pelvic ligaments and female reproductive organs in preparation for child birth. Furthermore, studies from our laboratory have established that relaxin is potent, but safe anti-fibrotic (anti-scarring) agent, by inhibiting collagen deposition (a major component of scar tissue). We have also shown that relaxin acts at multiple levels to inhibit collagen synthesis and enhance collagen degradation.
- We are currently using models of ischemic and hypertensive heart disease, allergic airways disorders (such as asthma), obstructive renal disease and diabetes to investigate the therapeutic potential of relaxin; the primary focus being to establish the anti-fibrotic and regenerative capacity of the peptide hormone. Furthermore, we are currently using relaxin gene-knockout and relaxin receptor (RXFP1) gene-knockout mice to determine the significance of endogenous relaxin. Both these knockout models demonstrate an age-related progression of fibrosis and a more rapid accumulation of tissue collagen, when subjected to injury, demonstrating the importance of the relaxin-RXFP1 interaction in regulating the progression of fibrosis. The influence of gender and the signalling mechanisms involved with relaxin’s ability to regulate collagen turnover are also being studied. See Relaxin-Fibrosis Laboratory for more specific projects being undertaken.
Laboratory Techniques
- Animal surgery/pathophysiology
- Functional studies
- Protein biochemistry
- Molecular biology
- Histology / immunohistochemistry
- Cell biology
Publications and Articles
Please see PubMed link: Samuel CS.
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