27 September 2006
New developments in prostate research will be the focus of the first in a series of free public lectures during October to celebrate 125 years of the Victorian College of Pharmacy.
The college's Dr Betty Exintaris, from the Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, will deliver the first lecture -- Pacemaker cells in the prostate - on 3 October.
Her presentation will include an overview of the functions of the male reproductive system, with an emphasis on the prostate.
The prostate gland is of considerable medical interest as it commonly enlarges in aging males -- a condition known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, Dr Exintaris said.
In 2002 pacemaker cells were discovered in the prostate. Their discovery has raised the prospect of new ways of diagnosing and treating men with enlarged prostates.
Prostate pacemaker cells generate electric waves that initiate and coordinate the electrical activity which underlies the contractile activity of the prostate.
Together with the college's Dr Sab Ventura, Dr Exintaris in 2004 was awarded a National Health and Medical Research Council grant to investigate the role of pacemaker cells in the generation of slow-wave activity (a type of electrical activity that underlies contractile activity) in the prostate.
The project involves other researchers and PhD students at the college's Prostate Research Cooperative.
Dr Exintaris and her team have identified a specialised group of interstitial cells in the prostate gland that perform a wide variety of functions, including the initiation of contractile activity.
"This project investigates the role of the interstitial cells in the functioning of the prostate gland and I hope will lead to a better understanding of conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia," Dr Exintaris said.
Other topics in the 125th Anniversary lecture series include Medicines -- friend or foe? (Oct 10); Tackling pandemic influenza -- new solutions to and age old problem (Oct 17); Public-private partnerships -- a new drug discovery model for malaria and other neglected diseases (Oct 24); and Medicines of the future -- what's around the corner (Oct 31).
The lectures will be held from 6.30pm to 8pm at the Victorian College of Pharmacy, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville. Admission is free but registration is required. To register visit the Victorian College of Pharmacy website.
For more information or to arrange interviews contact Ms Penny Fannin, Media Communications, on +61 3 9905 5828 or 0417 125 700.
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