Clinical Trial Of Intravitreal Injections Of Dexamethasone Vs Bevacizumab In Diabetic Foveal Oedema Resistant To Laser
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$336,398.00
Summary
Diabetic macular oedema (swelling in the back of the eye) occurs in 20% of patients who have had diabetes for 10 years, and causes progressive vision loss. This project aims to determine whether there may be a difference between treatment with bevaciumab -VEGF inhibitor- and steroids used as eye injections inpatients with diabetic macular oedema losing vision despite standard laser treatment.
Reducing Vaccine Preventable Diseases In Children: Using National Active Hospital-based Surveillance To Evaluate And Improve Immunisation Program Performance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,049,916.00
Summary
This proposal aims to evaluate and improve upon immunisation policy and programs for the prevention of severe childhood influenza and pertussis. Using our successful Paediatric Active Enhanced Disease Surveillance (PAEDS) network in 6 major children's hospitals across Australia, we will identify gaps in the evidence base needed to better control influenza and pertussis and in particular to ensure programs are delivered in such a way so as to address health inequalities.
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
Pneumococcal disease is one of the biggest killers of children under 5 years of age worldwide, mostly in developing countries. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines are highly effective at reducing pneumococcal disease however the duration of protection and the immune factors involved is unknown, particularly when fewer than the recommended number of doses are used. My fellowship aims to examine the key immune factors that provide long-term protection following pneumococcal vaccination.
Preclinical Studies Of Group A Streptococcal Vaccine Candidates
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$532,492.00
Summary
Group A streptococcus causes 520,000 deaths each year. A safe and effective vaccine is not commercially available. We have identified 2 new protective candidate antigens, and we seek to undertake critical preclinical studies to provide further proof-of-concept data. This work will underpin commercial decisions by our industry partner (Wyeth) leading to human trials and the development of a safe group A streptococcal vaccine for human use.
Applying Active Hospital-based Case Ascertainment To Assess Vaccine Effectiveness And Safety
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$258,741.00
Summary
Australia makes a considerable investment in vaccination, and the public are entitled to expect that vaccines are both safe and effective. The growing complexity of the vaccine schedule requires the development of new and flexible systems to monitor vaccine performance. This project aims to do this using surveillance nurses embedded in children's hospitals to actively find cases of diseases which are potentially vaccine-preventable as well as those which might have occurred as a side effect of v ....Australia makes a considerable investment in vaccination, and the public are entitled to expect that vaccines are both safe and effective. The growing complexity of the vaccine schedule requires the development of new and flexible systems to monitor vaccine performance. This project aims to do this using surveillance nurses embedded in children's hospitals to actively find cases of diseases which are potentially vaccine-preventable as well as those which might have occurred as a side effect of vaccination.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.