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Retinal Endothelial Cell Changes That Precede Retinal Vein Occlusion And The Retinal Extracellular Space Changes That Follow It
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$118,121.00
Summary
Dr. Min Hye Kang, at The University of Western Australia, is investigating microscopic blood vessel changes that precede the onset of devastating blindness. She is also studying functional changes that occur in the retina following deprivation of its blood supply. Her research has significantly improved our understanding of cellular mechanisms that lead to blindness. It has also aided in the development of new treatment strategies for the prevention of vision loss.
Parasitic and viral infections involving the retina are serious eye conditions that are poorly understood and lack effective treatments. My PhD studies will focus on how human retinal cells fight infections caused by the Toxoplasma parasite, and dengue and Ebola viruses. The results of my investigations will inform the development of better treatments for these blinding eye diseases.
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.
Modelling Age-related Macular Degeneration Using Patient Specific Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$86,117.00
Summary
It is now possible to induce patient own skin cells to become stem cells. These cells can then be guided to become any cell of the body. This technique allows the study of disease cells without the need of obtaining biopsies from diseased tissue, such as the retina. This project aims to study age-related macular degeneration using patients’ stem cells, which will be differentiated into cells affected in AMD. The role of specific genetic risks in the biology of these cells will be investigated.
Investigating Friedreich Ataxia Cardiomyopathy And Ophthalmopathy Using Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$136,205.00
Summary
There is no effective treatment for Friedreich ataxia (FRDA). Patients, usually diagnosed as children, will end up in wheelchairs; many have difficulty with movement, speech, develop eye problems and diabetes. Most die at a young age from heart failure. In this project we will study stem cells from patients with FRDA. In the laboratory, these stem cells will be turned into heart and eye cells to study why patients with FRDA develop symptoms and to help develop new drugs to provide effective trea ....There is no effective treatment for Friedreich ataxia (FRDA). Patients, usually diagnosed as children, will end up in wheelchairs; many have difficulty with movement, speech, develop eye problems and diabetes. Most die at a young age from heart failure. In this project we will study stem cells from patients with FRDA. In the laboratory, these stem cells will be turned into heart and eye cells to study why patients with FRDA develop symptoms and to help develop new drugs to provide effective treatment.Read moreRead less
Understanding Changes In Retinal Ganglion Cells Using A Glaucoma Model
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$88,193.00
Summary
Glaucoma is a pressure related eye disease that is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide. The mechanisms by which glaucoma causes vision loss are poorly understood. At the Centre for Eye Research Australia, we aim to investigate changes within retinal ganglion cells – the neurons which carry light signal from the eye to the brain – using a glaucoma model. We hope to improve understanding of the disease process and highlight new therapeutic options for glaucoma.
Gene Therapy And Bone Marrow Transplantation For Treatment Of Experimental Autoimmune Uveitis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$78,445.00
Summary
Bone marrow stem cells modified to express self antigen is proposed as a treatment for experimental autoimmune uveitis. A major goal of this research is to investigate the impact and possible mechanism of gene therapy on the development and progression of autoimmune disease in the eye to prevent or reduce the severity of disease.
Do Retinal Microvascular Signs Predict Ischaemic Heart Disease Subtype? The Australian Heart Eye Study (AHES)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$65,532.00
Summary
Narrowing of the large vessels of the heart and abnormal function of the small vessels are both causes of coronary heart disease and chest pain.There are few non-invasive investigations to help differentiate between large and small vessel disease and assess one’s risk of developing disease in the future.The study uses retinal photography and coronary angiography to assess whether changes in the structure of the blood vessels of the eye may be used to identify the type of coronary heart disease a ....Narrowing of the large vessels of the heart and abnormal function of the small vessels are both causes of coronary heart disease and chest pain.There are few non-invasive investigations to help differentiate between large and small vessel disease and assess one’s risk of developing disease in the future.The study uses retinal photography and coronary angiography to assess whether changes in the structure of the blood vessels of the eye may be used to identify the type of coronary heart disease as well as the risk of future cardiac events.Read moreRead less
Mechanisms Of Retinal Functional Hyperaemia In Humans With And Without Type 1 Diabetes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$117,526.00
Summary
Fenofibrate has been shown to reduce the progression of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in patients with type 2 diabetes by up to 40%, however the mechanisms behind this result are poorly understood. This research will investigate measures of local and systemic endothelial dysfunction and levels of lipids and lipoproteins to determine how fenofibrate affects the progression of DR in patients with type 2 diabetes and in doing so form the basis of further basic and clinical research.