Novel anti-ageing peptides in the vascular system

This research proposal builds on our discovery of age-related changes in receptors for relaxin-like peptides in arteries and veins. It will use an innovative systems approach to test the hypothesis that relaxin-like peptides act on vascular smooth muscle and play a key role in preventing ageing of blood vessels. The project will result in significant conceptual advances on the cellular basis of vascular ageing. It will also foster an important partnership between Australian scientists and Novartis, the only pharmaceutical company worldwide involved in the commercial development of relaxin-like peptides, to develop new preventative measures to minimise the impact of global ageing.