Research Focus
The main focus of our work is the development of novel biomarker assays for the diagnosis and prognosis of disease, in both clinical and pre-clinical settings. Ancillary to that we perform in vitro and ex vivo pre-clinical testing of novel biomarkers for direct cardiac activity.
Most assays have been developed to detect the human, rodent and bovine forms of these hormones. In addition, HPLC technology is employed to assess the kinetics and mechanisms underlying the metabolism of peptides in plasma and tissue.
The lab is well equipped for RIA, ELISA and utilises Luminex, Roche Cobas and Brahams Krptor technologies and has in vitro cell culture and ex vivo isolated heart facilities for further biodiscovery applications. We have been audited to FDA level requirements and runs according to ISO15189 regulations. We regularly complete commercial studies for international diagnostic companies such as Roche, Abbott, Sphingotec, ThermoFisher among others.
Assays that have been developed within the laboratory include;
- atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP)
- brain natriuretic peptide (BNP)
- N-terminal BNP
- c-type natriuretic peptide (CNP)
- neutral endopeptidase activity (NEP or E.C. 24.11)
- adrenomedullin
- angiotensin II
- angiotensin converting enzyme activity (ACE)
- plasma renin activity
- arginine vasopressin
- ACTH
- cortisol
- aldosterone
- endothelin
- cGMP
- cAMP
- the catecholamines
- Ghrelin peptides
- signal peptide fragments derived from preproproteins
Staff
The Translational Biodiscovery Laboratory currently consists of seven scientists and eigh technical staff, with one PhD student.
Director
Research staff
- Research Associate Professor Tim Yandle, tim.yandle@cdhb.health.nz
- Senior Research Fellow Lynley Lewis
- Senior Research Fellow Tim Prickett
- Research Fellow Sarah Appleby
- Postdoctoral Fellow Janice Chew-Harris
- Research Fellow Andree Pearson
- Dr Louise Paton
Technical Staff
- Sara Raudsepp, Senior Technical Officer
- Jacqui Lee
- Mat Byers
- Jo Whitlow
- Joy Braithwaite
- Noeline Marsh
- Liz Morrison (casual)
- Izzy Lynch (casual)
Contact Details
Tel +64 3 364 0887
Fax +64 3 364 0713
