Posted in Media

A/Prof David Winlaw and I recently participated in a study which has been published in the highly acclaimed journal, Nature Genetics. The study identified a region on chromosome 4p16 that is associated with a risk of developing ostium secundum atrial septal defects (ASD). Variations in this region are estimated to account for 9% of the population-attributable risk of ASD.

Click here to read more about the study.
http://www.nature.com/ng/journal/vaop/ncurrent/abs/ng.2637.html

Our Head of Surgery and Research, A/Prof David Winlaw, was interviewed by Bloomberg this week about new research that suggested around 10% of congenital heart defects may come from spontaneous gene mutations (meaning gene mutations that aren't inherited from a parent).  Read the full article here.

A/Prof Winlaw and his research team are currently involved in a number of studies to better understand the genetics behind congenital heart disease.  For more information, go to our research page.

A wonderful group of Mums have formed a group called the Zipper Tickers and have been working hard to organise a gala dinner in Newcastle on the 27th of July this year, and were interviewed by The Newcastle Herald this week.  Check out the article here.  Some of the Heart Centre team will be heading up to Newcastle for the weekend so please come and join us to support the Zipper Tickers and raise some much-needed funds for a new cardiac ultrasound (echo) machine for the department.  The more the merrier!  Click here for details.