The Significance Of Glial Dysfunction In Retinopathy Of Prematurity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$311,567.00
Summary
Abnormalities in cells at the back of the eye called photoreceptors are associated with at least 50% of all cases of blindness in this country.This project will determine whether substances released from dying photoreceptors cause the death of neighbouring cells. In addition we will examine whether treatments that block the actions of these released substances can prevent the death of photoreceptors, thereby providing a novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of devastating eye diseases.
TRAFFICKING OF METABOLITES BETWEEN M LLER CELLS AND NEURONS IN DIABETIC RETINOPATHY.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$211,320.00
Summary
Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in the working population. In some diabetics, blood vessels within the retina proliferate, haemorrhage or cause retinal detachment. The underlying changes within the retina that lead to the proliferation of blood vessels are not well understood. One of the factors that leads to changes in retinal blood vessels is an incease in growth factors from cells in the retina called Muller cells. Muller cells are vital for the normal function of the retina, and a ....Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in the working population. In some diabetics, blood vessels within the retina proliferate, haemorrhage or cause retinal detachment. The underlying changes within the retina that lead to the proliferation of blood vessels are not well understood. One of the factors that leads to changes in retinal blood vessels is an incease in growth factors from cells in the retina called Muller cells. Muller cells are vital for the normal function of the retina, and are known to be abnromal late in diabetes. They may also be dysfunctional early in diabetes and could play a significant role in the early chnages seen in diabetes. Therefore a good understanding of how Muller cells change and the time at which they change is vitally important to gain a better undetrstanding of the defects that are associated with diabetes. Furthermore, an understanding of the basic underlying cellular changes that occur in diabetes will aid the development of more specific therapeutic agents in the future.Read moreRead less