The Centre has been collaborating for several years with the Cardiac Surgical Research Unit at the Baker Institute. This unit is led by Dr Frank Rosenfeldt, a cardiac surgeon with an interest in improving the success rate of procedures such as bypass surgery and angioplasty. In joint studies we have been examining the effect of coenzyme Q10 treatment on the ability of the heart tissue from older animals and patients to resist stress, such as that found under conditions of surgical operations. The results of these experiments have been encouraging and have led to the initiation of preliminary trials using coenzyme Q10 as a therapeutic agent preceding cardiac surgery.

Professor Murray D. Esler, an Associate Director of the Baker Medical Research Institute, is collaborating with the Centre in the clinical assessments of muscle performance in aged patients. This process also involves staff from the pharmacy, pathology and radiology services.

Baker Medical Research Institute Group

Monash University:

The Centre's origins stem from Monash University where it was originally founded as a part of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and where the Centre's director served as a Professor and Head of Department. On leaving Monash University, Professor Linnane was appointed an Emeritus Professor of the University.

The Centre has access to animal facilities at Monash where an aged rat colony is housed. Approval for animal experimentation is via the Monash Animal Ethics Experimentation Committee.

Professor Nagley from the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology has collaborated with the Centre over a number of years and has held a number of NH&MRC, ARC and National Heart Foundation grants with several Centre scientists.

Associate Professor David Clarke of the Department of Psychological Medicine is currently assisting the Centre in its interests in the role of mitochondrial function in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Professor Phillip Nagley (Right) (Monash University) and Dr Paul Lewandowski (Centre for Molecular Biology and Medicine)

Australian Tea Tree Oil Research Institute, Southern Cross University, N.S.W:

The Centre has been collaborating with the Australian Tea Tree Oil Research Institute, Southern Cross University, since 1997 on a substantial project aimed at developing a diagnostic tool to measure individuals' bio-energetic capacities. A scientific advisory board to this project includes prominent professors from various research organizations. They include:

Professor Edward Byrne, 
MD, DSc, FRACP
Department of Neurology, St Vincent's Hospital.

Professor Colin Johnston, 
AO, MBBS, FRAP
Department of Medicine, Melbourne University, Austin Hospital.

Professor Philip Nagley, 
PhD, DSc
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University