Our Scientists
Dr Matthew Perry
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Dr Perry received his PhD from the University of Leeds (UK), after using a variety of electrophysiological techniques to examine how ion channel proteins regulate ion transport in the gastrointestinal system. Since then, he has focused on understanding the physiology, pathophysiology and pharmacology of ion channels within the cardiovascular system. His work has examined the molecular basis for block of human ether-a-go-go related gene (hERG) potassium channels, a phenomenon which underlies the cardiotoxic side-effects of a wide range of drugs. Subsequently, while working at the University of Utah (USA) in the laboratory of Professor Michael Sanguinetti, Dr Perry also elucidated the mechanisms by which small molecules target certain gating properties of hERG channels to manipulate their function and potentially act as anti-arrhythmic drugs.
His focus has been to understand the molecular basis by which inherited mutations in hERG channels can lead to cardiac arrhythmiasyndromes, as well understanding the population level variability in the severity of clinical phenotypes associated with these arrhythmia syndromes. Dr Perry’s work combines state-of-the-art high throughput phenotyping techniques and gene editing, in conjunction with induced pluripotent stem cell derived cardiomyocytes, to model cardiovascular disease.
Dr Perry’s work has been published in a number of top journals, including two publications in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (USA). He also co-authored the definitive review of hERG channels and their link to disease in the premier journal, Physiological Reviews in 2012. He has received invitations to speak at several international meetings, including the International Union of Pure and Applied Biophysics (IUPAB) conference in 2014 and at the Asia-Pacific Heart Rhythm Society conference in 2015. Dr Perry is a NSW state representative for the Australian Society for Biophysics, as well as a member of the Biophysical Society (USA), the International Society for Heart Research, and the International Society of Stem Cell Research.
Dr Matt Perry is currently a senior lecturer at the University of New South Wales, and collaborator here at the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute in our Cardiac Electrophysiology Laboratory.
Acknowledgement of Country
The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute acknowledges Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.
