Understanding and Modelling Insect Motion Vision. The interdisciplinary project proposed will offer a stimulating environment for research/training into computational neuroscience, an attractive area for aspiring scientists. We have already demonstrated the feasibility of transferring physiology into applications, and expect this project to deliver functional motion vision models and devices. Our proposed work will have an impact beyond the advancement of neuro-physiology as knowledge gained is ....Understanding and Modelling Insect Motion Vision. The interdisciplinary project proposed will offer a stimulating environment for research/training into computational neuroscience, an attractive area for aspiring scientists. We have already demonstrated the feasibility of transferring physiology into applications, and expect this project to deliver functional motion vision models and devices. Our proposed work will have an impact beyond the advancement of neuro-physiology as knowledge gained is applicable in a range of areas, with applications in miniature unmanned vehicles and collision avoidance detectors in defence and civilian roles. Our project could also assist in the development of artificial intelligence and as a basis for designing implantable artificial eyes.Read moreRead less
Involvement of the Human Retinal Endothelial Cell in Blinding Eye Disease. Endothelial cells line the blood vessels of the vascular networks that circulate blood through the tissues. The molecular constitution of each endothelial cell is different and specific to function, but may predispose to tissue-specific disease. Retinal endothelial cells ensure the nutrition and protection of a tissue critical to vision, but are key participants in retinal ischemic, inflammatory and infectious diseases th ....Involvement of the Human Retinal Endothelial Cell in Blinding Eye Disease. Endothelial cells line the blood vessels of the vascular networks that circulate blood through the tissues. The molecular constitution of each endothelial cell is different and specific to function, but may predispose to tissue-specific disease. Retinal endothelial cells ensure the nutrition and protection of a tissue critical to vision, but are key participants in retinal ischemic, inflammatory and infectious diseases that threaten vision. This project will investigate molecular activities of retinal endothelial cells that are relevant to retinal disease processes and explore future biological therapies directed against the human retinal endothelial cell that address efficacy and safety deficiencies of current treatments.Read moreRead less
Dissecting The Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome With Complementary Genetic, Proteomic And Biophysical Strategies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$490,352.00
Summary
Pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX) is an eye condition in which flaky material deposits in the eye, greatly increasing the risk of cataract and glaucoma which can lead to blindness. PEX is also associated with heart disease, strokes and aneurysms. Cataract surgery in PEX patients has a higher rate of complications. In this project we will determine the nature of PEX material and why it forms. This knowlege will facilitate better diagnosis and treatment of PEX preventing associated blindness.
A Genome-wide Association Scan To Identify Genetic Risk Factors For Sight Threatening Diabetic Retinopathy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$982,203.00
Summary
Diabetic eye disease is an important complication of diabetes that can lead to blindness. Very little is known about how diabetes causes eye disease, but genetics is known to play a role. We aim to identify genes that contribute to eye disease in diabetes patients. We will compare genes between patients with diabetes with and without severe diabetic eye disease using cutting edge genomic technology. We hope to be able to better predict risk of blindness and to move towards novel treatments.
Vision performance in relationship to spectacle lens design. Refractive errors such as short-sightedness, long-sightedness or presbyopia (age related decline in near vision) are the leading causes of visual impairment in the world. Of these, presbyopia affects almost 100% of the population above 45 years of age. This represents over 40% of all Australians. Although spectacles provide a safe and easy means of correcting refractive errors, they affect quality of life due to distorted vision, disco ....Vision performance in relationship to spectacle lens design. Refractive errors such as short-sightedness, long-sightedness or presbyopia (age related decline in near vision) are the leading causes of visual impairment in the world. Of these, presbyopia affects almost 100% of the population above 45 years of age. This represents over 40% of all Australians. Although spectacles provide a safe and easy means of correcting refractive errors, they affect quality of life due to distorted vision, discomfort such as head and neck ache and cosmetic effects. The goals of the project are to better understand the visual performance of young and old people who wear glasses and to develop improved spectacle lens designs to provide clear and comfortable vision over a range of distances.Read moreRead less
Development Of An Artificial Vision System For Motion Detection. This work will have a broader impact beyond the advancement of a particular area of neurophysiology since it aims to produce a simple, robust velocity estimator in computer models and subsequently in silicon chips. We have already demonstrated the feasibility of transferring our basic preliminary models onto VLSI chips. Consistent with National Research Priorities 3 (Frontier Technologies), 4 (Defence Technologies) & 2 (Promoting a ....Development Of An Artificial Vision System For Motion Detection. This work will have a broader impact beyond the advancement of a particular area of neurophysiology since it aims to produce a simple, robust velocity estimator in computer models and subsequently in silicon chips. We have already demonstrated the feasibility of transferring our basic preliminary models onto VLSI chips. Consistent with National Research Priorities 3 (Frontier Technologies), 4 (Defence Technologies) & 2 (Promoting and Maintaining Good Health) our work has applications in the area of miniature autonomous systems in defence and civilian roles, including miniature unmanned aerial vehicles and collision avoidance detectors, while in the longer term it will serve as the basis for designing implantable artificial eyes.Read moreRead less
Development of a novel biodegradable ophthalmic biomaterial based on porous silicon. Within this interdisciplinary project, we will combine our diverse expertise towards the development of frontier technologies for control of stem cell behaviour on biodegradable scaffold materials. We will develop a novel ophthalmic bioimplant from porous silicon using topographical and chemical aspects of surface modification as well as immobilisation and/or incorporation of bioactive species such as growth fac ....Development of a novel biodegradable ophthalmic biomaterial based on porous silicon. Within this interdisciplinary project, we will combine our diverse expertise towards the development of frontier technologies for control of stem cell behaviour on biodegradable scaffold materials. We will develop a novel ophthalmic bioimplant from porous silicon using topographical and chemical aspects of surface modification as well as immobilisation and/or incorporation of bioactive species such as growth factors, to permit the growth and differentiation of mammalian stem cells. This project will result in biomaterials for the treatment of blinding diseases of the eye. Implanted into the limbus, bioimplants may ameliorate some common corneal diseases.Read moreRead less
Bio-MEMS eye sensor for continuous monitoring of intraocular pressure. Glaucoma is a leading cause of preventable blindness, particularly prevalent in the 60+ population, caused by elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). Current treatment to monitor and prevent glaucoma-related blindness is by lowering IOP with eye-drops, laser therapy or surgery. This project directly benefits our aging population by ensuring independence and quality of life, whilst reducing long-term medical and social costs. By ....Bio-MEMS eye sensor for continuous monitoring of intraocular pressure. Glaucoma is a leading cause of preventable blindness, particularly prevalent in the 60+ population, caused by elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). Current treatment to monitor and prevent glaucoma-related blindness is by lowering IOP with eye-drops, laser therapy or surgery. This project directly benefits our aging population by ensuring independence and quality of life, whilst reducing long-term medical and social costs. By incorporating nanotechnology with ophthalmology we will provide an economic solution to long-term, reliable, home-monitoring of IOP. An implantable IOP sensor, will identify patients requiring more invasive treatment compared with those with less aggressive disease, leading to better health resource utilisation.Read moreRead less
Using lasers to prime the immune system. This project aims to detail the precise effects that lasers have on eye cells, cell populations and the body as a whole. Laser treatments for sight problems are increasing but the effects of these laser applications on the unique immune systems of the eye and brain are unknown. Previous work of the researchers has shown that a novel nanosecond laser when targeted to the eye can alter cells in the lasered eye and in the unlasered eye and the brain. This kn ....Using lasers to prime the immune system. This project aims to detail the precise effects that lasers have on eye cells, cell populations and the body as a whole. Laser treatments for sight problems are increasing but the effects of these laser applications on the unique immune systems of the eye and brain are unknown. Previous work of the researchers has shown that a novel nanosecond laser when targeted to the eye can alter cells in the lasered eye and in the unlasered eye and the brain. This knowledge may be crucial for enhancing our understanding of the immune privileged state of the eye. In addition, it seeks to guide the development of future low energy lasers as important successful treatments.Read moreRead less
Small heat-shock molecular chaperone proteins and amyloid fibrils. This proposal addresses the fundamental mechanisms of protein aggregation associated with debilitating age-related diseases, e.g. Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and cataract, and the prevention of aggregation via the action of a group of molecular chaperone proteins known as small heat-shock proteins. With the ageing population, the prevalence of these diseases will increase significantly over the next 20 years. Understanding and treat ....Small heat-shock molecular chaperone proteins and amyloid fibrils. This proposal addresses the fundamental mechanisms of protein aggregation associated with debilitating age-related diseases, e.g. Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and cataract, and the prevention of aggregation via the action of a group of molecular chaperone proteins known as small heat-shock proteins. With the ageing population, the prevalence of these diseases will increase significantly over the next 20 years. Understanding and treating these diseases will therefore have significant long-term health benefits. Furthermore, the highly structured protein aggregates that form as hallmarks of many of these diseases have potential wide ranging applications in the emerging field of bionanotechnology, e.g. as nanowires and biofilms.Read moreRead less