A Genome-wide Association Scan To Identify Genetic Risk Factors For Sight Threatening Diabetic Retinopathy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$982,203.00
Summary
Diabetic eye disease is an important complication of diabetes that can lead to blindness. Very little is known about how diabetes causes eye disease, but genetics is known to play a role. We aim to identify genes that contribute to eye disease in diabetes patients. We will compare genes between patients with diabetes with and without severe diabetic eye disease using cutting edge genomic technology. We hope to be able to better predict risk of blindness and to move towards novel treatments.
Dissecting The Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome With Complementary Genetic, Proteomic And Biophysical Strategies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$490,352.00
Summary
Pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX) is an eye condition in which flaky material deposits in the eye, greatly increasing the risk of cataract and glaucoma which can lead to blindness. PEX is also associated with heart disease, strokes and aneurysms. Cataract surgery in PEX patients has a higher rate of complications. In this project we will determine the nature of PEX material and why it forms. This knowlege will facilitate better diagnosis and treatment of PEX preventing associated blindness.
Identification And Characterisation Of Novel Genes For Congenital Cataract
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$432,750.00
Summary
Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness worldwide. The term describes a clouding of the lens which may lead to visual impairment. Congenital cataracts (present at birth) are less common than age-related cataract but the lifelong impact on vision can be severe, with a third of patients remaining legally blind. Late complications such as aphakic glaucoma may be blinding. We have shown that congenital cataracts are often inherited and have performed a population-based study in South-Eastern Au ....Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness worldwide. The term describes a clouding of the lens which may lead to visual impairment. Congenital cataracts (present at birth) are less common than age-related cataract but the lifelong impact on vision can be severe, with a third of patients remaining legally blind. Late complications such as aphakic glaucoma may be blinding. We have shown that congenital cataracts are often inherited and have performed a population-based study in South-Eastern Australia over the past 5 years to determine the causative genes. A large number of families have been involved in the study and solid progress has been made in identifying mutations in cataract genes and understanding what effect these may have on the patient's prognosis. We have recently identified a new gene in a large Australian family with a syndrome of cataract, mental retardation and teeth problems. This syndrome, known as Nance-Horan syndrome was originally described in Australia 30 years ago and we have worked with the original family to find the exact gene responsible. We already know that this gene causes the same syndrome in other families and in this project we will examine whether it can cause cataract without the other features or mental retardation without cataract. We will perform a series of experiments to learn what this gene does and how it causes the disease. We have also selected 3 other very interesting families with congenital cataracts for further study as we either know already or strongly suspect that they will enable us to identify further new genes for cataract, and in one case mental retardation. Our work in other diseases indicates that understanding the genes in severe young onset cases can give valuable clues to the causes of age-related forms and may in the future enable new ways to prevent and treat the commonest cause of worldwide blindness.Read moreRead less
Envisaging Citizenship: Australian Histories and Global Connections. This project aims to investigate the ways that visual images have defined, contested and advanced ideas of Australian citizenship and rights from European settlement to the present. Responding to the lack of a shared mainstream understanding of Australian citizenship, it looks beyond legal definitions to explore cultural and especially visual views of citizenship over time. Through collaboration with museum, media and education ....Envisaging Citizenship: Australian Histories and Global Connections. This project aims to investigate the ways that visual images have defined, contested and advanced ideas of Australian citizenship and rights from European settlement to the present. Responding to the lack of a shared mainstream understanding of Australian citizenship, it looks beyond legal definitions to explore cultural and especially visual views of citizenship over time. Through collaboration with museum, media and education sectors, it will provide a forward-looking and accessible public history, and utilise the potential of images to broaden contemporary debates about citizenship. Expected outcomes include a better public understanding of the pathways to citizenship, and enhanced engagement with Australian values and identity.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0775489
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$300,000.00
Summary
Dictionary of Australian Artists Online, DAAO: public release version. The DAAO is already positioned as the sole system for the creation and discovery of research into art history in Australia. The DAAO will provide global exposure of Australian research and artists with tangible benefits both economically for cultural industries (including the art industry and tourism) and socially. It will also increase the breadth and depth of general knowledge of Australian art, contributing to the developm ....Dictionary of Australian Artists Online, DAAO: public release version. The DAAO is already positioned as the sole system for the creation and discovery of research into art history in Australia. The DAAO will provide global exposure of Australian research and artists with tangible benefits both economically for cultural industries (including the art industry and tourism) and socially. It will also increase the breadth and depth of general knowledge of Australian art, contributing to the development of national identity through the diversity and richness of Australia's visual cultures. Read moreRead less
Designing for sustainability using a transformative repair model. The project will generate new knowledge in design-based repair and reuse of consumer products to develop a new community of craft and design practitioners, audience and clientele, in collaboration with leading Australian design and craft organisations. It responds to the pressing cultural and environmental burden of product obsolescence and consumer waste through innovation in transformative repair – a designed reworking of broken ....Designing for sustainability using a transformative repair model. The project will generate new knowledge in design-based repair and reuse of consumer products to develop a new community of craft and design practitioners, audience and clientele, in collaboration with leading Australian design and craft organisations. It responds to the pressing cultural and environmental burden of product obsolescence and consumer waste through innovation in transformative repair – a designed reworking of broken or discarded consumer objects that transforms their aesthetic appeal and cultural value. It applies transition design theory to develop localised progressions of the transformative repair model to foster knowledge exchange between partner organisation while contributing to a sustainable design economy in AustraliaRead moreRead less
Still in my mind: Gurindji experience, location and visuality. This project will develop an innovative historical account of the effects of pictorial representation of Aboriginal identity, using visual, ethnographic and archival sources. It will investigate and critique the impact of ethno-centric codification through which Aboriginal peoples have been framed and refracted throughout the 19th century and into the 21st century, from a specific Gurindji standpoint.
Neourobiology Of Human Epilepsy: Genes, Cellular Mechanisms,network And Whole Brain
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$17,652,824.00
Summary
The team is comprised of neurologists, molecular geneticists, physiologists and brain imaging specialists and leads the world in the discovery of the genetic causes of epilepsy. They will continue to identify genes underlying epilepsy and study how genetic variations result in development of seizures. Advanced brain imaging will be used to understand the effects of genetic variation on brain structure and function. This study may lead to new diagnostic methods and treatments for epilepsy.
Histone Demethylase KDM6A Is A Novel Target For Treating Craniosynostosis In Children With Saethre-Chotzen Syndrome
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$548,854.00
Summary
Children with Saethre-Chotzen syndrome exhibit premature fused coronal sutures, and other skull/ skeletal malformations. Surgical intervention is the only treatment option to ensure optimal cognitive and skeletal development. Our studies have identified a candidate molecular pathway that regulates bone formation by cranial bone cells from these patients. Targeting this key molecular regulator with chemical inhibitors will help prevent the premature fusion of cranial sutures.
Creative Economy:Investigating South Australia's Creative Industries. This project aims at providing a rich and informative data set and analyses of South Australia's Creative Industries to enable a better understanding of the value networks operating in, across and beyond sectors and enable the State's creative industries to be benchmarked against their national and global counterparts. It will carry out a comprehensive, finely granulated, bottom up data gathering exercise and associated analy ....Creative Economy:Investigating South Australia's Creative Industries. This project aims at providing a rich and informative data set and analyses of South Australia's Creative Industries to enable a better understanding of the value networks operating in, across and beyond sectors and enable the State's creative industries to be benchmarked against their national and global counterparts. It will carry out a comprehensive, finely granulated, bottom up data gathering exercise and associated analyses needed at the State level to identify gaps in existing information for addressing policy settings and development. This will extend to a cross-sectoral cluster analysis and support a sustainable industry policy within the changing media environment.Read moreRead less