Uncovering The Aetiology Of Myopia Through Identification Of Refraction And Ocular Biometric Genes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$697,786.00
Summary
Myopia or short-sightedness affects 1 in 4 people in the Western world and is a major source of uncorrected vision loss, as well as blindness. This proposal aims to identify genes in myopia using a new technique called genome wide association. We will apply this technique to individuals collected through a population based Eye study to allow us to identify these genes. The outcomes of this work will allow us to identify high risk individuals as well as develop new measures to prevent myopia.
Gene Based Treatment Strategies For Diabetic Retinopathy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,630,000.00
Summary
Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in the working population of developed countries and it is an increasing problem in the developing world. Present therapy involves extensive laser destruction of the light-detecting part of he retina. In addition, it is not only effective when administered at an appropriate stage in the disease process. Consequently, there is an urgent need for the development of better, prophylactic, easily administrable and cheaper therapies. This project ....Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in the working population of developed countries and it is an increasing problem in the developing world. Present therapy involves extensive laser destruction of the light-detecting part of he retina. In addition, it is not only effective when administered at an appropriate stage in the disease process. Consequently, there is an urgent need for the development of better, prophylactic, easily administrable and cheaper therapies. This project aims to develop a potentially permanent solution to alleviate diabetes-related blindness in the world. The project combines several very recent scientific advances into one strategy to combat diabetic retinopathy at a molecular level. Vision is our most important sensory organ that cannot be replaced. Thus, human trials can only be conducted following extensive animal safety and efficacy trials. To date the development of new therapies has been seriously hampered by the lack of appropriate, easy to reproduce animal models for different stages of diabetic retinopathy. In addition, it aims to identify new therapeutic agents from molecules that are naturally produced by the retina while fighting the disease. Finally, tested and evaluated in the animal models. The most successful therapeutic candidates will then be further developed for human trials.If successful, our approach will potentially have a major impact on the treatment of diabetic retinopathy and possibly on all diabetic vascular diseases. A single injection might only be necessary to prevent the development of diabetic retinopathy, which would represent a significant weapon in the management of patients. In addition, successful application of secretion gene therapy in the eye might open up the possibility to introduce the same concept for the treatment of larger organs undergoing microvascular changes as a result of diabetes.Read moreRead less
Development Of A Slit Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscope As A Screening Tool In Glaucoma Diagnostics
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$195,830.00
Summary
Glaucoma is typified by progressive optic disc cupping and loss of fibres with consequent characteristic field defects. Direct imaging of the retina and quantitative assessment of such images greatly increases early diagnosis of this blinding disease. The proposed device, a laser line scanning ophthalmoscope, could support non-invasive imaging to obtain 3-D information in a simple and cost effective way. This could provide objective clinical parameters to support the decision making process.
Engineered Antibody Fragments For The Diagnosis And Treatment Of Eye Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$196,886.00
Summary
We plan to investigate the use of genetically-engineered antibody fragments in the diagnosis and treatment of clinically-important human eye diseases. The work will be carried out in experimental models, but the goal is to develop a new class of drugs that will be widely applicable in human inflammatory eye disease and eye infections. Antibodies are natural proteins, found in blood and body secretions, that protect humans from infections. However, they can be made in the laboratory and monoclona ....We plan to investigate the use of genetically-engineered antibody fragments in the diagnosis and treatment of clinically-important human eye diseases. The work will be carried out in experimental models, but the goal is to develop a new class of drugs that will be widely applicable in human inflammatory eye disease and eye infections. Antibodies are natural proteins, found in blood and body secretions, that protect humans from infections. However, they can be made in the laboratory and monoclonal antibodies in particular - those with a single defined specificity - have found widespread use in many medical applications. For the past 15 years, monoclonal antibodies have been used therapeutically, that is, they have been administered to humans to treat some diseases. Antibodies are big proteins that have multiple functions. Their very size and the multiplicity of their actions prevent their use in some therapeutic situations. In recent years, advances in genetic engineering and biotechnology have developed to the extent that small fragments of monoclonal antibodies can be produced in the laboratory with relative ease. Such fragments should have very substantial advantages over intact antibodies in the diagnosis and treatment of human eye disease. Engineered antibody fragments hold enormous potential for ophthalmic use, especially if they can be administered topically as eye-drops. In this project, we aim to determine whether antibody fragments can be used in the diagnosis and the treatment of four potentially blinding conditions: acute anterior uveitis and corneal graft rejection, which are inflammatory eye diseases, and herpetic keratitis and Acanthamoeba keratitis, which are eye infections.Read moreRead less