Heterogeneity In Processing And Signalling By The Notch Family Of Receptors In Vascular Development And Remodelling.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$85,716.00
Summary
Formation and remodelling of the blood vessels is a critical feature of development. In addition, numerous disorders including psoriasis, arthritis, blindness, heart and brain ischemia, neurodegeneration, hypertension, pre-eclampsia, respiratory distress and osteoporosis among others are characterised by defective blood vessel patterning. The significance associated with understanding how Notch genes direct blood vessel formation is paramount, as this knowledge will inform future research.
The Role Of Renin-angiotensin And Growth Factors In Developmental And Pathological Neovascularization In The Retina
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$342,562.00
Summary
In the normal retina of newborn babies, the blood vessels in the inner layers are not fully formed. These vessels are probably stimulated to grow by a reduction in retinal oxygen, which initiates the production of growth agents in retinal cells. Once the new vessels are formed the oxygen level of the retina becomes normal, and both the growth agents and blood vessel growth are reduced. A prolonged reduction in oxygen levels in the retina can have serious consequences for vision. Indeed, in some ....In the normal retina of newborn babies, the blood vessels in the inner layers are not fully formed. These vessels are probably stimulated to grow by a reduction in retinal oxygen, which initiates the production of growth agents in retinal cells. Once the new vessels are formed the oxygen level of the retina becomes normal, and both the growth agents and blood vessel growth are reduced. A prolonged reduction in oxygen levels in the retina can have serious consequences for vision. Indeed, in some eye diseases new blood vessel growth is excessive and the vessels are not properly formed, which leads to hemorrhage and ultimately blindness. Such events occur when the oxygen environment of premature babies is reduced after placement in high oxygen incubators. Also, in long-term diabetes, the oxygen levels of the retina falls as the retinal vessels become damaged. To understand the events that cause new vessel growth in retinal development and disease requires identification of the growth agents and their location in the retina. Very recently it has been found that the growth agent renin-angiotensin is made in the retina, and that its blockade in diabetic patients slows the progression of new retinal vessel growth. Renin-angiotensin is likely to cause its growth effects by increasing the production of other retinal growth agents. This proposal will study the role of renin-angiotensin and other growth agents in the developing newborn rat retina and in eye diseases. This information may lead to a further understanding of how blood vessels form in the retinas of newborn babies, and the production of new treatments for eye diseases characterized by blood vessel growth in the retina.Read moreRead less
Strategies To Enhance Recruitment Of Hematopoietic Stem Cells And Their Differentiation To Retinal Pigment Epithelium
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$29,627.00
Summary
Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) is the leading cause of adult blindness in the western world. As the Australian population ages, many more people will suffer from this disease. This project aims to use adult stem cells, called hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) to repair injured vessels in the eye. This approach optimises healthy repair of the retina by facilitating differentiation of HSC into retinal pigment epithelium, the cells whose malfunction is the underlying initiator of the disease.
The Cellular Organisation Of Interneurones In Human Retina
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$526,454.00
Summary
Our goal is to determine the numbers and types of nerve cells in the human retina: the part of the eye where visual processing starts. This data will serve as a baseline against which effects of visual disease can be measured.
Retinal Endothelial Cell Changes That Precede Retinal Vein Occlusion And The Retinal Extracellular Space Changes That Follow It
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$118,121.00
Summary
Dr. Min Hye Kang, at The University of Western Australia, is investigating microscopic blood vessel changes that precede the onset of devastating blindness. She is also studying functional changes that occur in the retina following deprivation of its blood supply. Her research has significantly improved our understanding of cellular mechanisms that lead to blindness. It has also aided in the development of new treatment strategies for the prevention of vision loss.
Glial-neuronal-vascular Interactions In A Novel Transgenic Model Of Muller Cell Dysfunction
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$626,585.00
Summary
Muller cell disfunction is a feature shared by many retinal diseases. This project aims to study the contribution of Muller cell dysfunction to retinal neuronal damage and blood-retinal barrier breakdown in a novel transgenic model we recently generated. Results of this study will also be of interest to scientists and clinicians seeking to understand better and treat diseases of the central nervous system in general.
The Role Of Gliosis In Advanced Retinal Degeneration
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$457,785.00
Summary
The development of treatments that restore vision assumes that the output neurons of the retina remain intact. Yet, there is now considerable evidence that the neurons that signal from the retina to the brain are altered in those that have degenerative diseases of the retina. Here, we will examine the cause of these cellular changes in an animal model and seek to prevent the loss of output neurons. This information is crucial for the development of treatments that seeks to restore vision.
Bioengineering Of Cyclotides With Angiogenic Properties
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$488,273.00
Summary
Atherosclerosis, a gradual clogging of the arteries, is the single leading cause of death in Australia, Europe, the USA and Japan. Coronary heart disease (CHD; clogging of the coronary arteries), while secondary to atherosclerosis in most of the world, accounts for nearly 2 million deaths per year in Europe alone. In Australia CHD is the single leading cause of death. This project is aimed at developing lead molecules for the development of therapeutics capable of stimulating revascularization ( ....Atherosclerosis, a gradual clogging of the arteries, is the single leading cause of death in Australia, Europe, the USA and Japan. Coronary heart disease (CHD; clogging of the coronary arteries), while secondary to atherosclerosis in most of the world, accounts for nearly 2 million deaths per year in Europe alone. In Australia CHD is the single leading cause of death. This project is aimed at developing lead molecules for the development of therapeutics capable of stimulating revascularization (that is, opening up blocked vessels to improve blood flow) of tissues with slow or retarded circulation. Such therapeutics would improve the treatment of atherosclerosis and CHD. Peptides, small proteins, are generally not stable enough to be used as drugs. In this project we plan to engineer protein molecules based on an unusually stable family of proteins, known as the cyclotides. We will chemically synthesise analogues of cyclotides that have been altered to incorporate the activities of less stable small peptides that are able to induce therapeutic angiogenesis. Given the prevalence of CHD, the development of effective therapeutics could have a profound impact on the economic cost of the disease, which in the USA amounts to US$133.2 billion per year. This project involves collaboration between researchers from the Institute for Molecular Bioscience, who have expertise in drug design and protein chemistry, and researchers from the Centre for Research in Vascular Biology, who have expertise in vascular biology and vessel engineering. Both of these institutes are part of the University of Queensland.Read moreRead less
Novel Functional Imaging For Age-related Macular Degeneration
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$564,848.00
Summary
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye condition which affects the central retina (the macula) resulting in a loss of central vision. The lack of appropriate clinical tests to monitor the progression of AMD at the early stages of disease hampers the discovery of novel interventions aimed at preventing the development of advanced vision-threatening AMD. In this project, we will investigate the use of a quick and non-invasive imaging technique for monitoring AMD progression.