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.
Boosting Mitochondria- A New Approach For Protecting The Aging Optic Nerve In Glaucoma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$391,784.00
Summary
Increasing age is a major risk factor for neurodegeneration. We have recently shown that subjecting mice to intermittent periods of fasting improves mitochondrial function in the retina and reverses age-related decline in optic nerve vulnerability to injury. This project now aims to investigate key molecular pathway for restoring mitochondria and from this attempts to find more palatable therapeutic strategies for protecting the optic nerve from injury.
Energy Supply In Glaucoma: One Cell's Trash Is Another Cell's Treasure
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$122,712.00
Summary
Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness and affects 65 million people worldwide, yet its underlying cause is not well understood. The work described in this research aims to understand the role of oligodendrocytes in provision of energy to retinal ganglion cell axons, and whether impaired energy supply in retinal ganglion cell axons and the optic nerve will lead to glaucoma. It is expected to provide new insight into glaucoma and potentially lead to new treatments.
OXPHOS Upregulation To Preserve Vision In Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$496,874.00
Summary
Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON) is a devastating blinding disease that preferentially affects young men. Sufferers have normal vision until teenage years or their twenties when a rapid loss of vision occurs that results in permanent blindness. It is caused by genetic changes in the mitochondrial DNA that we inherit from our mothers. The mitochondria are the cells' energy generators. We aim to use molecules similar to female hormones to boost energy as a new treatment to preserve visio ....Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON) is a devastating blinding disease that preferentially affects young men. Sufferers have normal vision until teenage years or their twenties when a rapid loss of vision occurs that results in permanent blindness. It is caused by genetic changes in the mitochondrial DNA that we inherit from our mothers. The mitochondria are the cells' energy generators. We aim to use molecules similar to female hormones to boost energy as a new treatment to preserve vision in at-risk LHON individuals.Read moreRead less