First-in-Field Study Of Mechanisms Operating In Post-Ebola Eye Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$748,985.00
Summary
Ebola virus disease is a life-threatening illness with no treatment. Survivors of the disease are at risk of uveitis - inflammation inside the eye - related to the ability of Ebola virus to persist in the eye. Our research will examine the cellular and molecular events that occur in an eye that harbours Ebola virus. This work will be an important step towards the development of treatments for uveitis caused by Ebola virus.
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.
A Novel Mesenchymal Stromal Cell And Biomaterial For Corneal Reconstruction
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$508,611.00
Summary
Our research group has identified a new cell type (L-MSC) with the potential to treat a variety of eye diseases. We have also developed a novel material from a protein found in silk, that has potential as a vehicle for delivering healthy cells into diseased eyes. The present project will build upon these promising results by evaluating the properties of L-MSC necessary for clinical use and by testing the feasibility of our new cell delivery system.
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.
The Contribution Of Aberrant Wnt Signalling To Neuronal And Vascular Pathology In Retinal Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$561,342.00
Summary
Neuronal damage and vascular abnormalities are features shared by many retinal diseases. We will use a novel transgenic model to study the contributions of aberrant Wnt signalling in retinal neuronal and vascular pathology, and also, to test strategies for neuroprotection and inhibition of vascular abnormalities. Success in the project may identify novel therapeutic targets leading to safer and more effective treatments for retinal diseases.