The vision we rely on every day to read and recognise faces depends upon the health of the central portion of our retina, the macula. Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in Australia and the western world. Researchers at the Australian National University are collaborating to bring a new test for AMD severity to the market within 3 years. The objective is to provide doctors with a rapid, cost-effective tool to help them manage treatment.
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.
Mechanisms Of Retinal Functional Hyperaemia In Humans With And Without Type 1 Diabetes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$117,526.00
Summary
Fenofibrate has been shown to reduce the progression of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in patients with type 2 diabetes by up to 40%, however the mechanisms behind this result are poorly understood. This research will investigate measures of local and systemic endothelial dysfunction and levels of lipids and lipoproteins to determine how fenofibrate affects the progression of DR in patients with type 2 diabetes and in doing so form the basis of further basic and clinical research.