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.
Developing Personalised Treatment For Retinal Degeneration
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$262,220.00
Summary
Dr Chen seeks a clinical CDF1 to support his ambition in combining his expertise in clinical management of retinal diseases with a growing track record of clinical trials and laboratory science to develop treatment for retinal degeneration. This is achieved through a patient-centred translational platform that he has established. In the next 5 years, He will identify the most suitable method for measuring progression and develop personalised therapy for a phase I clinical trial.
Fighting Blindness With A Minimally Invasive Retinal Stimulator
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$998,194.00
Summary
Retinal degenerative conditions are the leading cause of blindness in developed nations, with over 200 million people afflicted worldwide. Our group has pioneered a minimally-invasive therapeutic stimulator that can arrest retinal degeneration without blocking vision. We are now ready to perform the prerequisite translational studies to develop and test a human-grade device. The ultimate goal is to be the first to develop a commercial therapeutic stimulator that protects against vision loss.
Modelling Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy Using Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$628,416.00
Summary
Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON) is a blinding disease that affects young males and is caused by the death of cells in the optic nerve. To better understand LHON, this project utilises induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells for disease modelling. iPS cells will be generated from patients and turned into optic nerve cells, allowing us to study the diseased cells in the laboratory, providing a platform to screen for novel drugs to improve treatment options and fast-track drug development.
Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness, and its management is hindered by the lack of effective clinical measures of the disease. This project seeks to develop new clinical tests to take the “guesswork” out of its management – measures that can correctly identify those at high-risk of progression, accurately determine treatment efficacy and sensitively detect disease progression, thus preventing the irreversible loss of vision from this disease.
Regulation Of ICAM-1 Expression In Human Retinal Endothelial Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$565,967.00
Summary
Posterior uveitis is an inflammation that occurs within the eye and may result in blindness. Present treatments are not directed specifically at the inflamed tissues, and they may be ineffective and cause toxicity. This research aims to identify molecules controlling the entry into the eye from the bloodstream of the white blood cells that cause the disease. The results should suggest new targets for safer drugs to treat patients with posterior uveitis.
Modelling Age-related Macular Degeneration Using Patient Specific Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$86,117.00
Summary
It is now possible to induce patient own skin cells to become stem cells. These cells can then be guided to become any cell of the body. This technique allows the study of disease cells without the need of obtaining biopsies from diseased tissue, such as the retina. This project aims to study age-related macular degeneration using patients’ stem cells, which will be differentiated into cells affected in AMD. The role of specific genetic risks in the biology of these cells will be investigated.
Targeting The De Novo Serine Synthesis Pathway In Macular Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$628,084.00
Summary
We have found a significant difference in de novo serine metabolism between the human primary Müller cells isolated from macular and peripheral retinas. We will study whether and how this difference contributes to redox homeostasis in these areas. The outcomes will help us to gain a better understanding of why the macula is more prone to develop disease than the peripheral retina.
Understanding Changes In Retinal Ganglion Cells Using A Glaucoma Model
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$88,193.00
Summary
Glaucoma is a pressure related eye disease that is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide. The mechanisms by which glaucoma causes vision loss are poorly understood. At the Centre for Eye Research Australia, we aim to investigate changes within retinal ganglion cells – the neurons which carry light signal from the eye to the brain – using a glaucoma model. We hope to improve understanding of the disease process and highlight new therapeutic options for glaucoma.
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.