SEMINAR: CMCA Seminar Series: Platelets and disease: Aggregate Knowledge

Matthew earned his PhD in Haematology from UWA in 2003. After postdoctoral and junior faculty research roles in the USA and an academic role at RMIT University's School of Medical Sciences, Matthew has recently returned to UWA to head up the CMCA flow cytometry technique group and continue research on platelets with three related research themes. (1) Overcoming antiplatelet therapy resistance: After seminal work unravelling mechanisms and clinical significance of this phenomenon, Matthew’s research now focuses on performing clinical trials which inform the clinical management of this condition, particularly in the context of type 2 diabetes. (2) Platelet activation, inflammation and atherogenesis: While the role of platelets in the late stage thrombotic complications of heart disease is well characterised, the role of platelet activation in mediating the early inflammatory processes which drive atherogenesis is an emerging area. Matthew has contributed to important discoveries on how platelets mediate inflammation, including GPIIb-IIIa dependent release of CD40L, and cell-cell interactions with inflammatory cells to mediate phenotype. (3) Novel and emerging antiplatelet therapies: Through broad collaborations, Matthew continues to explore potential novel therapeutic targets and characterise antiplatelet potential of novel and emerging strategies. These include targeting platelet adenosine A2 and serotonin 5HT2A receptors, flavonols as selective inhibitors of platelet dense granule exocytosis, and characterisation of the effects of exercise and nutrition on platelet function. All Welcome - Refreshments Available