Taria (Shin Yi) Ng
University of Sydney, NSW
Diane Erskine/Rotary District 9680 Scholarship
Diabetes 2011
Taria completed her Biomedical Science undergraduate and honours degree at University of Queensland. During her honours project, she investigated the beta-adrenergic receptors genetic polymorphism in chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases and asthma. After completing her honours project she relocated to Sydney and commenced working with Associate Professor Susan McLennan and Dr Nicholas Shackel on a voluntary basis. These studies involved investigation of the effects of common wound bacteria on cell function. This work stimulated her interest in this area of investigation and she subsequently enrolled in a PhD program. The focus of her PhD continues to be in the area of poor wound healing in diabetes. In particular investigating the adverse effects of a group of enzymes which play an important role in regulation of wound healing called metalloproteinases. Her studies will focus on these enzymes and their role in poor wound healing in diabetes. This is a common and poorly understood complication which affects some 15-25% of all persons with diabetes.
She would like to wholeheartedly thank Australian Rotary Health, Rotary District 9680 as well as the Department of Medicine from University of Sydney. Associate Professor Susan McLennan and Dr Nicholas Shackel for their role in making her dreams come true. She is also very inspired by the achievements of Australian Rotary Health and the Rotary Clubs and has become a Friend of Australian Rotary Health in 2011. She is delighted for this opportunity to be a part of an organisation which not only assists her research but also the future and on-going research, shaping the future of Australia’s health.
SUMMARY OF PROJECT:
Investigating the Adverse Effects of Matrix Metalloproteinases in Diabetic Wound Healing
Treatment of diabetic foot ulcers presents a significant challenge to diabetic patients and the health care system. Up to 25% of all patients with diabetes will develop a foot ulcer and each year in Australia, approximately 3000 persons with diabetes require amputation secondary to foot ulceration. Despite concerted treatment, many ulcers do not heal and it is this failure to heal which eventually leads to deep-seated infection and amputation. For these reasons, development of new therapeutic strategies to improve wound healing in diabetes is of critical importance.
The unit where I study has developed a program of research in diabetic wound healing with recent key publications addressing the expression and activity of proteolytic enzymes which are key to wound repair. These enzymes calls Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs) play an important role in normal wound repair. In chronic wounds which fail to heal these enzymes are found at higher levels. Our group has previously shown that in wound fluids from persons with diabetes the level of these enzymes can predict future healing. However whether the increased wound levels of these MMPs cause the delayed wound healing in diabetes is not known and will be investigated in my studies.
Successful studies will establish the basis for a clinical trial in humans. Additionally, by understanding how diabetes can affects these enzymes we will be better able to develop more effective therapeutic strategies to improve wound healing in diabetes subjects.