Thalamic inputs and cortical microcircuitry underlying the functional architecture of the visual cortex. This project seeks to reveal the fundamental circuitry of the visual cortex that enables visual perception. Such understanding is essential not only for explaining many perceptual disturbances, but also for providing a neuronal basis for developing functionally useful prostheses for the blind.
Relationship of retinal directionality to human retinal anatomy variations. This project aims to improve measurement of retinal directionality, which is the reduction in brightness when a light beam’s entry into the human eye is shifted from the centre to the edge of the pupil. This influences retinal image quality and can be used to measure changes in shape of the peripheral eye. This project will apply advanced technologies in holography, and heads-up displays to explore how retinal directiona ....Relationship of retinal directionality to human retinal anatomy variations. This project aims to improve measurement of retinal directionality, which is the reduction in brightness when a light beam’s entry into the human eye is shifted from the centre to the edge of the pupil. This influences retinal image quality and can be used to measure changes in shape of the peripheral eye. This project will apply advanced technologies in holography, and heads-up displays to explore how retinal directionality changes during accommodation (focusing). The expected outcome is improved understanding of retinal stretching changes during focusing. The benefit is that the project will lead to advancements in retinal imaging.Read moreRead less
Removing the blinkers: a wider study of the human eye. Peripheral aberrations, wide-field retinal imaging and optical parameters. This project will study peripheral (side vision) optics of the human eye and its role in the limits of visual performance. This will improve ocular measurements and contribute towards improved diagnosis and treatment of ocular diseases and short-sightedness.
Advanced methods for intraocular imaging. The ability to image the retina of the human eye at high resolution is fundamental to improving understanding of ocular physiology, ocular optics and disease diagnosis. This project applies the relatively new application of active optics to vision science. This project will investigate the advantages of using new beam shaping techniques for characterising the optics of the eye, improving retinal imagery and improving fixation stability. This project will ....Advanced methods for intraocular imaging. The ability to image the retina of the human eye at high resolution is fundamental to improving understanding of ocular physiology, ocular optics and disease diagnosis. This project applies the relatively new application of active optics to vision science. This project will investigate the advantages of using new beam shaping techniques for characterising the optics of the eye, improving retinal imagery and improving fixation stability. This project will achieve three-dimensional holography of human eyes and develop holography plates for correcting the aberrations of eyes. Expected outcomes are not-before experienced resolution images of the retina and better understanding of the optical characteristics of the refractive surfaces and media in the eye.Read moreRead less
Hybrid Optical-electrical Stimulation For Precise Neural Stimulation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$935,579.00
Summary
In world-first research, we have evidence that combining electrical stimulation with optical stimulation significantly and safely improves precision of neural activation for devices such as cochlear and retinal implants. In this proposal we will use gene therapy to make nerves responsive to light in pre-clinical animal models to establish proof of concept that hybrid stimulation will significantly improve outcomes for recipients of cochlear and retinal implants.
Dynamic ocular imaging: New tools to study neurodegenerative disease. Neurovascular uncoupling occurs when blood supply and energy production is no longer responsive to the metabolic of nervous tissue. Neurovascular uncoupling is thought to be a key mechanism in the development of debilitating neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and glaucoma. This project will be the first study to develop, validate and employ a comprehensive suite to simultaneously image blood flow, oxygen sa ....Dynamic ocular imaging: New tools to study neurodegenerative disease. Neurovascular uncoupling occurs when blood supply and energy production is no longer responsive to the metabolic of nervous tissue. Neurovascular uncoupling is thought to be a key mechanism in the development of debilitating neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and glaucoma. This project will be the first study to develop, validate and employ a comprehensive suite to simultaneously image blood flow, oxygen saturation, metabolic activity and retinal function to understand neurovascular uncoupling in aging and age-related neurodegeneration. Read moreRead less
Histamine and non-visual regulation of retinal signalling. This project is internationally competitive, asking basic biological questions about the brain and vision. Of direct national benefit, the new knowledge generated may alter the way we understand how vision works. Ultimately this knowledge may give insight into particular health issues, such as the persistence of visual memory in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and age related diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. Further this new kno ....Histamine and non-visual regulation of retinal signalling. This project is internationally competitive, asking basic biological questions about the brain and vision. Of direct national benefit, the new knowledge generated may alter the way we understand how vision works. Ultimately this knowledge may give insight into particular health issues, such as the persistence of visual memory in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and age related diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. Further this new knowledge will flow directly into the reputation of our major institutes of higher education and strengthen their place on the world stage. Through both CIs, this research will contribute to the education of both undergraduate and postgraduate science students at The University of Melbourne. Read moreRead less
Using visual science to reduce the dangers of night driving. This project aims to develop novel tests of visual function relevant to the modern night driving environment. Night driving is challenging for all drivers and has been linked to poor visibility under low light conditions. This project will characterise the visual challenges of the modern night driving environment, develop visual tests that incorporate the dynamic light levels typical of night-time roads and assess the association of th ....Using visual science to reduce the dangers of night driving. This project aims to develop novel tests of visual function relevant to the modern night driving environment. Night driving is challenging for all drivers and has been linked to poor visibility under low light conditions. This project will characterise the visual challenges of the modern night driving environment, develop visual tests that incorporate the dynamic light levels typical of night-time roads and assess the association of these tests with night driving performance. The outcomes will contribute new knowledge regarding dynamic visual processing and the ageing visual system and will inform vision testing, potential interventions to improve visual function for night driving and reduce the dangers of night driving.Read moreRead less
Using the eye as a window to the central nervous system for improved drug testing. The annual cost of treating brain illnesses is US$250 billion. Each new drug costs about US$900 million to develop. This research will give Pfizer Pty Ltd, the project’s industry partner, a more efficient and direct way of testing whether drugs can get into and affect the brain. This will reduce the cost of drug development, which ultimately means cheaper drugs. The project will develop new technologies to put Aus ....Using the eye as a window to the central nervous system for improved drug testing. The annual cost of treating brain illnesses is US$250 billion. Each new drug costs about US$900 million to develop. This research will give Pfizer Pty Ltd, the project’s industry partner, a more efficient and direct way of testing whether drugs can get into and affect the brain. This will reduce the cost of drug development, which ultimately means cheaper drugs. The project will develop new technologies to put Australia at the forefront of neuropharmaceutical and neuroscience research. A new research platform will foster collaborations with the pharmaceutical industry both within Australia and overseas. This industrial link will promote a unique post-graduate experience by providing exposure to academic and industrial environments for Australian scientists.Read moreRead less
Functional pathways in primate retina. When light enters the eye, specialised nerve cells called photoreceptors transform the light signal into nerve signals. These signals are processed in the retina by two groups of neurones, bipolar and ganglion cells before being sent to higher brain centres. Bipolar and ganglion cells can be subdivided into several types. We will measure which types communicate with each other and which proteins (neurotransmitter receptors) are involved at the site of commu ....Functional pathways in primate retina. When light enters the eye, specialised nerve cells called photoreceptors transform the light signal into nerve signals. These signals are processed in the retina by two groups of neurones, bipolar and ganglion cells before being sent to higher brain centres. Bipolar and ganglion cells can be subdivided into several types. We will measure which types communicate with each other and which proteins (neurotransmitter receptors) are involved at the site of communication between these nerve cells. This study will improve our knowledge of the basis of functional subspecialisation at the earliest stages of the visual process.Read moreRead less