Characterising Protein And Membrane Changes In Age-related Cataract Lenses.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$441,624.00
Summary
Cataract is the major cause of blindness worldwide. At present the only treatment for cataract, is surgery. This, however, is associated with complications (e.g. posterior capsule opacification), is expensive (a major component of the Health budget) and cannot keep pace with the incidence of cataract in developing nations. In addition, due to the greying of the community , this problem will be of increasing importance in the future. For prevention, we need to understand why cataract develops.
Genome-wide Association Studies To Identify Major Genetic Determinants Of 5 Blinding Eye Diseases Using Pooled DNA
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$562,193.00
Summary
This project aims to find important genes for 5 diseases that can lead to blindness. We will use a cost-effective approach where samples from a large number of individuals with a given disorder are pooled (mixed together) and then compared on gene chips covering the whole genome to a pool of people who do not have the disease. Differences identified between the groups will point to genes causing that disease. We will identify any major genes for the 5 diseases being studied.
Cortical Neuroprosthesis To Restore Visual Perception To Bling Patients.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$189,250.00
Summary
We will develop a medical device to restore visual perception to profoundly blind patients. This device will act to electrically stimulate the visual area of the brain. Electrical stimulation of this area leads to the visual perception of small spots of light in patients who are otherwise blind. By correlating the stimulation of the brain, which leads to the perception of spots of light, with an image of the surrounding environment acquired by a camera and digitally enhanced, we aim to provide b ....We will develop a medical device to restore visual perception to profoundly blind patients. This device will act to electrically stimulate the visual area of the brain. Electrical stimulation of this area leads to the visual perception of small spots of light in patients who are otherwise blind. By correlating the stimulation of the brain, which leads to the perception of spots of light, with an image of the surrounding environment acquired by a camera and digitally enhanced, we aim to provide blind patients with a very basic visual perception of their surroundings.Read moreRead less
Distribution Of Neurotransmitter Receptors On Identified Cell Populations In The Primate Retina
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$421,812.00
Summary
Neurons (nerve cells) communicate with each other by releasing chemicals called neurotransmitters at specialized sites called synapses. Each neuron has synaptic receptors, which determine how it will respond to neurotransmitters released by other neurons. The molecular structure and function of these receptors is well understood. Much less is known about the rules that govern which receptor types are expressed by each type of neuron, and how these receptors are distributed to the appropriate syn ....Neurons (nerve cells) communicate with each other by releasing chemicals called neurotransmitters at specialized sites called synapses. Each neuron has synaptic receptors, which determine how it will respond to neurotransmitters released by other neurons. The molecular structure and function of these receptors is well understood. Much less is known about the rules that govern which receptor types are expressed by each type of neuron, and how these receptors are distributed to the appropriate synapses so as to allow the normal function of the nervous system. We will study the distribution of neurotransmitter receptors on identified neurons in the retina. The retina is part of the central nervous system and its highly ordered structure makes it an ideal model nervous system. We will compare the distribution of receptors on neurons that play distinct functional roles in colour and movement detection. These experiments will advance our understanding of the normal functioning of the nervous system.Read moreRead less
Developing A Novel Glaucoma Surgery For Clinical Use And Commercialisation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$565,893.00
Summary
Glaucoma is a potentially blinding eye condition that affects more than 60 million people. The greatest risk factor in glaucoma is high intraocular pressure. Surgical treatment for glaucoma seeks to lower the pressure inside the eye by increasing the drainage of fluid from the eye. There are numerous techniques available but all have risks of complications. This grant seeks to develop a novel approach to the problem using intra-ocular delivery of laser pulses to cut a drainage channel.
Safety And Efficacy Of A Surgically Implanted Suprachoroidal Retinal Prosthesis (Bionic Eye)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,233,826.00
Summary
A bionic eye is a electronic device which can stimulate the remaining visual pathway in a person who is blind, to restore some basic vision. Our team have previously shown that our novel bionic eye device can be safely implanted in a patient, and can give improvements in vision when tested in a laboratory environment. The next stage of the research is to provide patients with a more advanced device, which will contain more electrodes and also be able to be taken home.
Pathogenic Role Of Changes In The Extracellular Environment Of Retinal Ganglion Cells In Glaucoma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$471,979.00
Summary
There are an estimated 60 million glaucoma sufferers worldwide. Glaucoma is associated with elevated pressure within the eye but the mechanisms by which this leads to vision loss are not clear. We propose to test a new hypothesis that it is tissue stress that is responsible for the ganglion cell death in glaucoma. We propose to measure key parameters of the cellular environment in an animal model of raised intraocular pressure and determine if elevated intraocular pressure induced changes in the ....There are an estimated 60 million glaucoma sufferers worldwide. Glaucoma is associated with elevated pressure within the eye but the mechanisms by which this leads to vision loss are not clear. We propose to test a new hypothesis that it is tissue stress that is responsible for the ganglion cell death in glaucoma. We propose to measure key parameters of the cellular environment in an animal model of raised intraocular pressure and determine if elevated intraocular pressure induced changes in the cellular environment can be identified.Read moreRead less
Imaging The Human Fundus To Simultaneously Generate An Oxygenation And Blood Flow Map
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$565,944.00
Summary
This project aims to exploit a novel solution to a problem which has previously limited the potential for clinical diagnosis and monitoring of ischemic retinal diseases such as diabetic retinopathy. We have devised a method of simultaneously recording blood flow and oxygen saturation level using scanning laser techniques that are readily applicable clinically.
Optic Nerve Head Structure And Genetic/environmental Associations: A Population-based SD-OCT Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$320,891.00
Summary
My research project combines two powerful new technologies, spectral domain-optical coherence tomography and the genome-wide association study, to investigate the physical and genetic characteristics of the optic nerve head in humans. Results from this work will help identify new glaucoma risk genes, increasing sensitivity and specificity for predicting glaucoma and expand our understanding of the disease mechanism allowing for the development of new treatments.
Dissecting The Great Ophthalmic Masquerade: The Global Giant Cell Arteritis Genomics Consortium.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$583,269.00
Summary
Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is the most common form of vasculitis in people over 50 years of age. If untreated it can cause catastrophic complications including blindness, though this can be prevented if treated early. Although there is clear evidence for a role of genetic factors in GCA, these have been little studied. We have established an Australian-led International consortium, with clinical, basic science and statistical expertise to thoroughly investigate this devastating disease.