EditCareer Summary
Biography
Within the School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy I am convenor for Research Higher Degrees and the Student Academic Conduct Officer (SACO). Within the University I am coordinator for the Cardiovascular RQF at the University of Newcastle and I represent the Hunter region on the NSW Cardiovascular Research Network. Currently I serve as Chair of the cardiovascular program within the Hunter Medical Research Institute.
My research aims are shared by Mr Paul Johnson (research assistant), and three PhD students (Ms Kafa Walweel, Ms Jiao Li and Ms Devya Mehra). These aims are also shared by collaborators at several Australian Universities and internationally, with current projects involving researchers in the USA (Dr Ikemoto from Harvard School of Medicine, Dr Knollmann from Vanderbilt University and Dr Shtifman from St. Elizabeth's Medical Center in Boston) and Sweden (Dr. Birnir from Lund University).
I have been a council member and webmaster for Australian Physiological Society since 2000. I am a reviewer for many international journals (e.g. Journal of General Physiology, Biophysical Journal) and for the funding bodies (ARC, NH&MRC and Wellcome trust). I served as a member on peer review panels in Australia and internationally. I have chaired the organising committees for 2 Australian conferences (Curtin Conference 2000, Australian Physiological Society 2007). My research has attracted a number of highly prised fellowships from the ARC, including a Queen Elizabeth II Fellowship, Senior Research Fellowship and a Professorial Fellowship and also a Brawn Senior Fellowship from the University of Newcastle
Qualifications
- PhD, University of New South Wales, 11/05/1984
- Bachelor of Science (Honours)(Physics), University of New South Wales, 28/04/1978
Research
Research keywords
- Membrane transport
- cardiac muscle
- ion channels
- skeletal muscle
Research expertise
The theme to my research career has been the use of biophysical methods to study membrane transport and ion channel function. I use electrophysiolological techniques to measure ion channel function. Channel function is analysed using markov theory to unravel and identify the complex mechanisms that control ion channels within cells.
Fields of Research
| Code | Description | Percentage |
|---|
| 111599 | Pharmacology And Pharmaceutical Sciences Not Elsewhere Classified | 60 |
| 111699 | Medical Physiology Not Elsewhere Classified | 20 |
| 029900 | Other Physical Sciences | 20 |
Memberships
Editorial Board.
- Editor for Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology
- Editor for Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology
Learned Academy.
Appointments
ARC - Aust Professorial Fellowship (level D E)
ARC (Australia) | 01/01/2006 |
Prestigious fellowship
Senior Research Fellow (ARC) (Australia) | 01/01/1992 - 01/12/2005 |
Prestigious fellowship
Professorial Research Fellowship (Australia) | 01/01/2001 - 01/12/2005 |
Invitations
Gordon Conference on Muscle
Gordon conferences, Australia (Conference Presentation - non published.)
| 2006 |
Gordon conference on excitation contraction coupling
Gordon conference, Australia (Conference Presentation - non published.)
| 2003 |
IUPS satelite confernece
IUPS, Australia (Conference Presentation - non published.)
| 2001 |
Biomembrane program,
AgResearch, Australia (External Reviewer - Programs.)
| 2004 |
Collaboration
I have had a long standing interest in how ion channels are able to be selective to specific ion species and how they can open and close in response to stimuli from within the cell and the external environment. My understanding of ion channel function is primarily built upon biophysical measurement of ion flow through single ion channels using techniques such as patch-clamp of cell membranes and fusion of ion channels with artificially produced lipid membranes.
Since 1995, I have devoted much of my attention to understanding how intracellular calcium and magnesium ions regulate the opening of calcium release channels in cardiac and skeletal muscle. These calcium release channels (called ryanodine receptors) mediate the release of calcium from internal stores within the cells which, in turn, provides the signal for muscle contraction. In the heart, these channels are important for timing of the heart beat and inherited mutations in these channels are known to lead to cardiac arrhythmia and sudden death.
I have discovered several mechanisms by which calcium release channels are regulated by intracellular Ca2+ and Mg2+ and the key differences between those found in cardiac and skeletal muscle. These discoveries have provided insight into mechanisms for cardiac contraction and rythmicity, how their mal regulation leads to cardiac arrhythmias and how pharmacological modulation of the calcium release channels can reverse cardiac arrhythmias arising from congenital heart diseases such as CPVT.
Administrative
Administrative expertise
2004-present Co- Chairman of the Cardiovascular program of the Hunter Medical Research Institute.
Teaching
Teaching keywords
- Ion channels
- disease
- electrophysiology
Teaching expertise
I have lectured and coordinated small undersgraduate courses (20-50 students) in my research area. I have coordinated and run laboratory classes in physiology and physics. I have supervised post graduate and honours students in physiology and biophysics
EditGrants and Funding
Summary
| Number of grants | 35 |
|---|
| Total funding | $2,636,180 |
|---|
For project grants received where the lead institution is other than the University of Newcastle, details are shown in italics.
- Indicates that the researcher may be seeking students for this project.
Click on a grant title below to expand the full details for that specific grant.
2013 (2 grants)
Investigating the basis for diabetes-associated gastric motility disorders$10,000
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
Biophysical Society 57th Annual Meeting, Pennsylvania Convention Centre, Philadelphia, 2 - 6 February 2013$2,000
Funding Body: University of Newcastle - Faculty of Health
2012 (2 grants)
Gastric Slow Waves and Motility Disorders$20,000
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
Gordon Research Conference on Muscle, Les Diablerets Conference Center, Les Diablerets Switzerland, 3 - 8 June 2012$2,000
Funding Body: University of Newcastle - Faculty of Health
2011 (2 grants)
Ryanodine receptor inhibitors as therapy for Ca2+ store overload induced arrhythmias$536,706
Funding Body: NHMRC (National Health & Medical Research Council)
Biophysics Society, Baltimore Convention Centre, 5 - 9 March 2011$2,000
Funding Body: University of Newcastle - Faculty of Health
2010 (5 grants)
Regulation of calcium release channels (RyR2) in healthy and failing hearts$325,575
Funding Body: NHMRC (National Health & Medical Research Council)
| Project Team |
|---|
| Associate Professor Derek Laver, Dr Nicole Beard, Professor Angela Dulhunty |
| Scheme | Role |
|---|
| Project Grant | Chief Investigator |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
|---|
| $325,575 | 2010 | 2012 |
| GNo:G0190194 |
HMRI MRSP Infrastructure Grant (10-11) - Cardiovascular$76,117
Funding Body: Hunter Medical Research Institute
HMRI MRSP Infrastructure Grant 09/10 - Cardiovascular$62,358
Funding Body: Hunter Medical Research Institute
| Project Team |
|---|
| Associate Professor Derek Laver |
| Scheme | Role |
|---|
| MRSP Infrastructure Grant | Chief Investigator |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
|---|
| $62,358 | 2010 | 2010 |
| GNo:G1000559 |
ABI 7500 Real Time PCR System
$34,000
Funding Body: NHMRC (National Health & Medical Research Council)
| Project Team |
|---|
| Doctor Rick Thorne, Doctor Nikki Verrills, Doctor Murray Cairns, Associate Professor Paul Tooney, Doctor Doug Smith, Professor Gordon Burns, Conjoint Professor Leonie Ashman, Conjoint Professor Keith Jones, Doctor Charles De Bock, Doctor Chris Dayas, Doctor Brett Graham, Doctor Martin Horan, Doctor Rebecca Lim, Doctor Severine Roselli, Doctor Larisa Bobrovskaya, Doctor Kathryn Skelding, Doctor Frederick Walker, Doctor Jude Weidenhofer, Associate Professor Philip Bolton, Associate Professor Alan Brichta, Professor Robert Callister, Professor Trevor Day, Associate Professor Phillip Dickson, Professor Manohar Garg, Doctor Phil Jobling, Associate Professor Derek Laver, Associate Professor Eugene Nalivaiko, Professor John Rostas |
| Scheme | Role |
|---|
| Equipment Grant | Investigator |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
|---|
| $34,000 | 2010 | 2010 |
| GNo:G1000055 |
Effective anti-arrhythmic drugs: How do they work?$30,000
Funding Body: BellBerry Limited
2009 (2 grants)
Propagation and directionality of gastric slow waves$20,000
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
Gordon Conference on Muscle, New Hampshire, USA, 14-19 June 2009$1,175
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
2008 (2 grants)
The effects of iron status on calcium handling systems in heart and brain$25,000
Funding Body: Hunter Medical Research Institute
Biophysics Society, Long Beach Conference Centre, 2/2/2008 - 6/2/2008$2,500
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
2007 (6 grants)
HMRI - Cardiovascular Research Program$518,556
Funding Body: Hunter Medical Research Institute
High speed/sensitivity CCD camera$30,000
Funding Body: NHMRC (National Health & Medical Research Council)
| Project Team |
|---|
| Professor Dirk Van Helden, Professor Eileen McLaughlin, Professor Gordon Burns, Doctor Rick Thorne, Dr Marcus Howlett, Doctor Mohammad Imtiaz, Associate Professor Alan Brichta, Professor Robert Callister, Doctor Brett Graham, Associate Professor Derek Laver, Associate Professor Liz Milward, Doctor John Holdsworth |
| Scheme | Role |
|---|
| Equipment Grant | Investigator |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
|---|
| $30,000 | 2007 | 2007 |
| GNo:G0188196 |
3D Imaging Software/Work station$20,000
Funding Body: Hunter Medical Research Institute
Magnesium and calcium regulation of calcium release channels in cardiac and skeletal muscle in health and disease$20,000
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
(93) Hunter Medical Research Institute - Cardiovascular$3,551
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team |
|---|
| Associate Professor Derek Laver |
| Scheme | Role |
|---|
| Publication Performance Grant | Chief Investigator |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
|---|
| $3,551 | 2007 | 2008 |
| GNo:G0187978 |
Biophysics Society, Baltimore Conference Centre, 3/3/2007 - 7/3/2007$2,500
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
2006 (3 grants)
Mechanisms of action of w-3 fatty acids in control of atrial arrhythmias $16,000
Funding Body: Hunter Medical Research Institute
Regulation of calcium release channels by Ca2+ store load and phosphorylation$10,000
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
Biophysics Society 18-22 Feb 2006$1,500
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
2005 (2 grants)
Intrinsic properties of the pore forming domain of the Ryanodine Receptor Calcium Channel$135,000
Funding Body: ARC (Australian Research Council)
| Project Team |
|---|
| Associate Professor Derek Laver |
| Scheme | Role |
|---|
| Discovery Projects | Chief Investigator |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
|---|
| $135,000 | 2005 | 2007 |
| GNo:G0185058 |
2005 Annual meeting of the Biophysical Society, 12-16 Feb 2005, USA$2,278
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
2004 (1 grants)
Regulation of normal and diseased cardiac Ca+ channels$12,903
Funding Body: NIH National Institutes of Health
| Project Team |
|---|
| Associate Professor Derek Laver |
| Scheme | Role |
|---|
| Collaborative NIH Research Grant | Chief Investigator |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
|---|
| $12,903 | 2004 | 2004 |
| GNo:G0185411 |
2003 (4 grants)
Aberrant behaviour of cardiac calcium release channels induced by ryanodine receptor peptide probes$160,000
Funding Body: NHMRC (National Health & Medical Research Council)
Mechanisms of action of omega-3 fatty acids in reduction of hypertension.$17,000
Funding Body: Hunter Medical Research Institute
C. elegans as an expression system for proteins that govern calcium release from internal stores.$11,000
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
Gordon Conference on Muscle Contraction, New London, NH, USA 8 - 13 June, 2003$2,500
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
2002 (4 grants)
Mechanisms governing regulation of ryanodine receptors function.$292,000
Funding Body: ARC (Australian Research Council)
| Project Team |
|---|
| Associate Professor Derek Laver |
| Scheme | Role |
|---|
| Australian Senior Research Fellowship | Chief Investigator |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
|---|
| $292,000 | 2002 | 2005 |
| GNo:G0181740 |
Mechanisms governing regulation of ryanodine receptors function.$110,861
Funding Body: ARC (Australian Research Council)
Role of calcium stores and phosphate channells in muscular fatigue.$107,100
Funding Body: NHMRC (National Health & Medical Research Council)
Dynamic Regulation Mechanisms of IP3-Receptor Calcium Release Channels$14,000
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
EditResearch Supervision
| Number of current supervisions | 5 |
|---|
| Total current UoN Masters EFTSL | 0.5 |
|---|
| Total current UoN PhD EFTSL | 1.5 |
|---|
For supervisions undertaken at an institution other that the University of Newcastle, details are shown in italics, and the institution name is listed below the program name.
Current Supervision
| Commenced | Proposed
Completion | Program | Supervisor Type | Research Title |
|---|
| 2013 | 2015 | M Philosophy (Human Physiolog) | Principal Supervisor | Electrophysiological and Computational Investigation of Voltage-gated Potassium and Sodium Ion Channel Modulation by Large Polypetide Toxins |
| 2012 | 2016 | PhD (Human Physiology) | Co-Supervisor | Effects of Calmodulin on Function of Cardiac Ryanodine Receptor |
| 2011 | 2015 | PhD (Human Physiology) | Co-Supervisor | The Lymphatic Function in Diabetes |
| 2010 | 2014 | PhD (Human Physiology) | Principal Supervisor | Regulation of Store Ca2+ Release in Healthy and Failing Heart |
| 2010 | 2013 | PhD (Human Physiology) | Principal Supervisor | Mechanisms of Cardiac Ryanodine Receptor Inhibition by Anti Arrhythmic Drugs |
Past Supervision
| Year | Program | Supervisor Type | Research Title |
|---|
| 2013 | PhD (Human Physiology) | Principal Supervisor | Regulation of Cardiac Calcium Release Channels During Acute Beta-Adrenergic Stimulation |
| 2004 | Honours Biol Sc Not Elsewhere Classifd
University of Newcastle | Co-Supervisor | The effect of poly unstaturated fatty acids on Ca2+ sparks |
| 2003 | PHD Biol Sc Not Elsewhere Classifd
Australian National University | Co-Supervisor | The effects of protein-protein interactions on the functioning of ryanodine receptors |
| 2003 | PHD Biol Sc Not Elsewhere Classifd
Australian National University | Co-Supervisor | A study of the effect of ryanodine receptor oxidation on its regulation by myoplasmic substances |
| 2000 | PHD Biol Sc Not Elsewhere Classifd
Australian National University | Co-Supervisor | A study of desensitization in GABAA receptors |
| 1950 | PHD Biol Sc Not Elsewhere Classifd
Australian National University | Co-Supervisor | Determinates of GABAA receptor single channel conductance |
