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
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
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
A lossy compression paradigm for sensory neural coding. By applying new interdisciplinary theoretical results, this research aims to enhance our understanding of how the ear turns sounds into electrical signals in the presence of high levels of random noise. Socio-economic benefits to Australia include: (i) contributions to the knowledge base of theoretical neuroscience, and communications systems, enhancing Australia's reputation for cutting-edge research; (ii) strengthening of European interna ....A lossy compression paradigm for sensory neural coding. By applying new interdisciplinary theoretical results, this research aims to enhance our understanding of how the ear turns sounds into electrical signals in the presence of high levels of random noise. Socio-economic benefits to Australia include: (i) contributions to the knowledge base of theoretical neuroscience, and communications systems, enhancing Australia's reputation for cutting-edge research; (ii) strengthening of European international collaborations; (iii) outcomes that will ultimately impact on improved designs for bionic ears and future biomedical prosthetics; and (iv) commercialisation and technology transfer opportunities, via the transfer of results to wireless artificial sensor networks.Read moreRead less
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
Surface engineering of oriented nano-layers for performance control. This research project will deliver knowledge on how to graft oriented, self assembled films from a surface, develop structure-property relationships at a nano-scale, develop a means to control these properties and develop characterization techniques at nano-scales. This research project, if successful, will deliver the ability to tailor the properties of a surface in a manner and over a range of properties that is not even cont ....Surface engineering of oriented nano-layers for performance control. This research project will deliver knowledge on how to graft oriented, self assembled films from a surface, develop structure-property relationships at a nano-scale, develop a means to control these properties and develop characterization techniques at nano-scales. This research project, if successful, will deliver the ability to tailor the properties of a surface in a manner and over a range of properties that is not even contemplated today.
In addition to the scientific benefits, there are also immediate commercial applications in Australia and worldwide for ophthalmic products (e.g. anti-fog and easy to clean lenses), if the balance of properties can be obtained.
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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
Electron transfer in proteins, a study of mechanism and function. Our research will probe the mechanisms by which nature's living systems build, maintain, and reproduce. We present an ability to understand these processes at a detailed molecular level using science and technology at the forefront of multidisciplinary research. The research will provide a foundation for new smart materials, technologies and future industries, and also ways forward for future basic scientific research and endeavo ....Electron transfer in proteins, a study of mechanism and function. Our research will probe the mechanisms by which nature's living systems build, maintain, and reproduce. We present an ability to understand these processes at a detailed molecular level using science and technology at the forefront of multidisciplinary research. The research will provide a foundation for new smart materials, technologies and future industries, and also ways forward for future basic scientific research and endeavor. All this is done with the best international researchers and capabilities within a local environment that will help to train the next generation of Australian scientists.Read moreRead less
Mimicking peptide structure - towards an aqueous environment. In this proposal we develop a fundamental understanding of the balance between 'weak' and 'strong' forces to define the properties of peptides and proteins. This will allow the design of new biological probes and materials with tailor-made chemical and physical properties for use in bioengineering, biotechnology, proteomics, and drug design. One such example is the design and preparation of a new chemical agent for the non-surgical tr ....Mimicking peptide structure - towards an aqueous environment. In this proposal we develop a fundamental understanding of the balance between 'weak' and 'strong' forces to define the properties of peptides and proteins. This will allow the design of new biological probes and materials with tailor-made chemical and physical properties for use in bioengineering, biotechnology, proteomics, and drug design. One such example is the design and preparation of a new chemical agent for the non-surgical treatment for cataract, the major cause of blindness world-wide.Read moreRead less