Anandamide activated chloride channels in sensory neurons. We are seeking to understand how the nerve cells that sense our environment are regulated by signalling molecules produced by our body. Understanding how these cells function in normal conditions is essential as basis for understanding how they may function abnormally in physically stressful situations or in chronic pain conditions. The work may eventually lead to better treatments for a wide range of disorders that involve the sensory ....Anandamide activated chloride channels in sensory neurons. We are seeking to understand how the nerve cells that sense our environment are regulated by signalling molecules produced by our body. Understanding how these cells function in normal conditions is essential as basis for understanding how they may function abnormally in physically stressful situations or in chronic pain conditions. The work may eventually lead to better treatments for a wide range of disorders that involve the sensory nervous system. Read moreRead less
The role of intracellular calcium in fibre-type specific gene expression in skeletal muscle. Muscles contain different fibre types whose composition can be changed by activity. The aim of this proposal is to identify the intracellular mechanisms which control fibre type. Our hypothesis is that different patterns of intracellular calcium determine the pattern of gene expression which determines fibre type. Understanding how gene expression is regulated is a central issue in biology.
Relationship of retinal directionality to human retinal anatomy variations. This project aims to improve measurement of retinal directionality, which is the reduction in brightness when a light beam’s entry into the human eye is shifted from the centre to the edge of the pupil. This influences retinal image quality and can be used to measure changes in shape of the peripheral eye. This project will apply advanced technologies in holography, and heads-up displays to explore how retinal directiona ....Relationship of retinal directionality to human retinal anatomy variations. This project aims to improve measurement of retinal directionality, which is the reduction in brightness when a light beam’s entry into the human eye is shifted from the centre to the edge of the pupil. This influences retinal image quality and can be used to measure changes in shape of the peripheral eye. This project will apply advanced technologies in holography, and heads-up displays to explore how retinal directionality changes during accommodation (focusing). The expected outcome is improved understanding of retinal stretching changes during focusing. The benefit is that the project will lead to advancements in retinal imaging.Read moreRead less
Removing the blinkers: a wider study of the human eye. Peripheral aberrations, wide-field retinal imaging and optical parameters. This project will study peripheral (side vision) optics of the human eye and its role in the limits of visual performance. This will improve ocular measurements and contribute towards improved diagnosis and treatment of ocular diseases and short-sightedness.
Advanced methods for intraocular imaging. The ability to image the retina of the human eye at high resolution is fundamental to improving understanding of ocular physiology, ocular optics and disease diagnosis. This project applies the relatively new application of active optics to vision science. This project will investigate the advantages of using new beam shaping techniques for characterising the optics of the eye, improving retinal imagery and improving fixation stability. This project will ....Advanced methods for intraocular imaging. The ability to image the retina of the human eye at high resolution is fundamental to improving understanding of ocular physiology, ocular optics and disease diagnosis. This project applies the relatively new application of active optics to vision science. This project will investigate the advantages of using new beam shaping techniques for characterising the optics of the eye, improving retinal imagery and improving fixation stability. This project will achieve three-dimensional holography of human eyes and develop holography plates for correcting the aberrations of eyes. Expected outcomes are not-before experienced resolution images of the retina and better understanding of the optical characteristics of the refractive surfaces and media in the eye.Read moreRead less
Peripheral and central mechanisms of sensory coding and integration. The research described in this proposal seeks to provide generic answers to fundamental questions about sensory processes, the nature of perceptual experience, and how these are subserved by the nervous system. The study of inter-sensory interactions in perception has the potential to be incorporated into the development of virtual reality-type computer-based technologies. The neurophysiology research will provide basic informa ....Peripheral and central mechanisms of sensory coding and integration. The research described in this proposal seeks to provide generic answers to fundamental questions about sensory processes, the nature of perceptual experience, and how these are subserved by the nervous system. The study of inter-sensory interactions in perception has the potential to be incorporated into the development of virtual reality-type computer-based technologies. The neurophysiology research will provide basic information that has the potential to deepen our understanding, and even enhance possible treatment, of neurological conditions that involve sensory systems.Read moreRead less
Understanding lens aging: the molecular basis of presbyopia. Ageing has major consequences in the deterioration of vision, notably, the inability to focus on near objects. The understanding gained through this study of age-related lens changes may allow us to prescribe drugs or diets that alter lens properties and thus delay the need for glasses. This would have great benefits not just in decreased inconvenience of users, but also in cost to the middle-aged and elderly. In addition, data will b ....Understanding lens aging: the molecular basis of presbyopia. Ageing has major consequences in the deterioration of vision, notably, the inability to focus on near objects. The understanding gained through this study of age-related lens changes may allow us to prescribe drugs or diets that alter lens properties and thus delay the need for glasses. This would have great benefits not just in decreased inconvenience of users, but also in cost to the middle-aged and elderly. In addition, data will be used to underpin the development of a flexible intraocular lens (IOL). Hard IOLs are routinely inserted into human eyes following cataract surgery. In the future, flexible IOLs based on the properties of young lenses will be used, rather than reading glasses. This new industry could be based in Australia.Read moreRead less
Do sex steroids regulate tear lipid production in human meibomian glands? This project aims to determine whether production of tear film lipids by meibomian gland cells is regulated by sex steroids. The tear film is essential to eyesight. It protects and nourishes the eye surface to maintain transparency to enable light to reach the retina. To guarantee these functions, exquisite control of tear film composition is required, including the outer lipid layer. Sex hormones, including oestrogen, may ....Do sex steroids regulate tear lipid production in human meibomian glands? This project aims to determine whether production of tear film lipids by meibomian gland cells is regulated by sex steroids. The tear film is essential to eyesight. It protects and nourishes the eye surface to maintain transparency to enable light to reach the retina. To guarantee these functions, exquisite control of tear film composition is required, including the outer lipid layer. Sex hormones, including oestrogen, may control production of the lipid layer by meibomian glands in the eyelid, but this has not been confirmed in humans. This project aims to show whether meibomian glands produce sex hormones, which then control production of tear lipids. This new knowledge will improve our understanding of how the tear film maintains clear vision.Read moreRead less
LittleBrother: Vision Systems Supporting Detection of Offenders in Public Places. Current visual surveillance systems can track people in an area only if complete camera coverage is provided. This project will develop a visual surveillance system able to track and record people's movements in a public building requiring only limited visual coverage. We will propose novel ways of matching images of a single individual from distant cameras by using features such as color histograms decomposed for ....LittleBrother: Vision Systems Supporting Detection of Offenders in Public Places. Current visual surveillance systems can track people in an area only if complete camera coverage is provided. This project will develop a visual surveillance system able to track and record people's movements in a public building requiring only limited visual coverage. We will propose novel ways of matching images of a single individual from distant cameras by using features such as color histograms decomposed for the different body parts, estimated height, and build type. Creating a record with this tracking information will effectively support security officers in the identification of responsible parties in the event of an offence.Read moreRead less
Two-way Auslan: Automatic Machine Translation of Australian Sign Language. This project aims to develop an automatic two-way machine-translation system between Auslan (Australian Sign Language) and English by researching and leveraging advanced computer vision and machine learning technology. The project expects to advance research in AI technology on topics including visual recognition, language processing and deep learning. This will boost Australia's national research capacity and global com ....Two-way Auslan: Automatic Machine Translation of Australian Sign Language. This project aims to develop an automatic two-way machine-translation system between Auslan (Australian Sign Language) and English by researching and leveraging advanced computer vision and machine learning technology. The project expects to advance research in AI technology on topics including visual recognition, language processing and deep learning. This will boost Australia's national research capacity and global competitiveness. Expected outcomes of this project will help to break the communication barriers between the Deaf and hearing population. This should provide significant benefits to Deaf communities through enhanced communication and improved quality-of-life, leading to a fair, more inclusive and resilient Australian society.Read moreRead less