News Story

Professor Khachigian from the Centre for Vascular Research (CVR) was presented with the GlaxoSmithKline Australia Award for Research Excellence last night by Australian of the Year, Professor Ian Frazer. The event was attended by 300 of Australia's top medical researchers.

The award is presented to a scientist who is not a member of a commercial organisation for a discovery that could lead to significant benefits to human health.

Professor Khachigian was acknowledged for identifying key master regulator genes, such as EGR-1, which control the thickening of arteries after balloon angioplasty.

Two million people each year undergo the procedure, which involves inflating a tiny balloon at the site of the blockage.

"Although the procedure is very effective, in many cases the arteries re-narrow within a few months," Professor Khachigian said.

Professor Khachigian and his team have developed enzymes made of DNA, which find and silence the EGR-1 gene.

Professor Khachigian is currently working towards a therapeutic treatment in humans. Clinical trials are planned for 2007. Professor Khachigian also received $50,000 for future research projects.

UNSW Professor Phil Hogg has previously won the prize.