Using New Retinal Imaging Technologies To Improve Treatment And Classification Of Diabetic Retinopathy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$227,644.00
Summary
Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in Australia. This project aims to use new ways of imaging changes in the back of the eye to try to improve the treatment and diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy.
Anti-vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-B As A Biologic For Treating Eye Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$464,295.00
Summary
We plan to show that an engineered antibody fragment against vascular endothelial growth factor-B is an effective therapeutic drug for two eye diseases, corneal neovascularization and age-related macular degeneration. The innovative aspects of this approach are that it may be safer, and have a different spectrum of activity, than existing ophthalmic anti-angiogenic agents. Furthermore, it may be effective for corneal disease when administered as an eye-drop.
Dust-related Disease In WA: Asbestos, Silica And Diesel Exposures, Lifestyle Factors And Genetic Predisposition.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$567,226.00
Summary
This multi-factorial project will extend the follow-up of 4 large, established groups of people who have experienced significant exposure to asbestos, silica or diesel, either through their jobs, or environmentally. Mesothelioma, lung cancer and prostate cancer are common among these groups. The study will provide important information on the effects of different levels of exposure to these three cancer-causing agents, as well as their effects on chronic respiratory diseases such as asbestosis, ....This multi-factorial project will extend the follow-up of 4 large, established groups of people who have experienced significant exposure to asbestos, silica or diesel, either through their jobs, or environmentally. Mesothelioma, lung cancer and prostate cancer are common among these groups. The study will provide important information on the effects of different levels of exposure to these three cancer-causing agents, as well as their effects on chronic respiratory diseases such as asbestosis, silicosis, asthma and tuberculosis. Ways in which these diseases may be prevented through the diet and other lifestyle habits (including smoking, alcohol consumption and exercise), will be closely examined. This study will also help to identify the genes which may place some people at a higher risk than others.Read moreRead less
The Influence Of Aqueous And Plasma Cytokines In Treatment Outcomes For Diabetic Macular Oedema
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$189,384.00
Summary
Diabetic macular oedema (DME) is the commonest cause of central visual loss in diabetics and has been linked to increased levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the eye. DME is treated with anti-VEGF injections, but these need to be repeated, with some patients failing to respond. We plan to see if levels of VEGF and other inflammatory markers will predict treatment response, so those unlikely to respond can be spared futile treatment and receive alternative treatment earlier.
Regulation Of Bone Marrow Progenitor Cells For Diabetic Retinopathy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$442,930.00
Summary
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the leading cause of blindness in the working population of developed countries. Current treatments cannot restore the retinal vascular damage in DR. This project intends to combat DR by repairing the damaged retinal vasculature through short- and long-term regulations of the function of bone marrow derived endothelial progenitor cells. Success in this project would potentially have a major impact on all diabetic vascular complications.
The Relationship Between Airborne Particle Exposure, Incident Respiratory Symptoms And Decline In Lung Function
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$315,497.00
Summary
Air pollution has been consistently identified as the environmental health problem of greatest concern to the general public in Australia. Yet hard evidence of adverse health effects from air pollution in Australian cities and towns is limited to date. It has been estimated that high levels of particles in urban air could be responsible for as many as 2,400 deaths nationally, costing approximately $4,300 million each year. This study will follow two groups of young Melbourne adults recruited som ....Air pollution has been consistently identified as the environmental health problem of greatest concern to the general public in Australia. Yet hard evidence of adverse health effects from air pollution in Australian cities and towns is limited to date. It has been estimated that high levels of particles in urban air could be responsible for as many as 2,400 deaths nationally, costing approximately $4,300 million each year. This study will follow two groups of young Melbourne adults recruited some years ago for studies of respiratory health. They will be a sent a questionnaire by mail and invited back to our laboratory for breathing tests. We will obtain routinely collected air quality data and measure fine particles < 2.5 thousandths of a mm in outdoor air. A subgroup of 100 subjects will also participate in some measurements of indoor air pollution. The analysis will look for relationships between particles in the air, new symptoms and changes in lung function over time. Comparisons will also made with other centres doing a very similar study in Europe. Reviews commissioned by the National Environment Protection Council have highlighted the lack of Australian data to assist in setting standards for particulate air pollution. The proposed study would provide some of the necessary local data and assist in the development of new health based environmental protection measures for fine particles. Once these measures have been implemented, we would expect to see an improvement in the respiratory health of the Australian population.Read moreRead less
Identifying The Barriers To Optimal Diabetes And Diabetic Retinopathy Care In Non-English Speaking Adults With Type I And II Diabetes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Summary
Diabetes is a growing epidemic, with diabetic retinopathy being one of its common complications. With an ageing population, the public health and economic impact associated with diabetes are expected to magnify. Among the risk factors for sub-optimal diabetes care, language proficiency and cultural differences have been indicated. However, there is little to no research into the barriers of diabetes care in Australia�s non-English speaking population, which is the purpose of the proposed study.
Risk Factors For Asthma, Chronic Bronchitis And Emphysema In Older Adults
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$330,574.00
Summary
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (including chronic bronchitis and emphysema) is a major public health problem in Australia. The main known cause is cigarette smoking, which peaked among Australian men shortly after the second world war. Now that the consequences of this epidemic of smoking are passing, more attention needs to be paid to other causes of the condition. The proposed study will focus on occupational and domestic exposures and dietary factors in older people. Dusty jobs have lo ....Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (including chronic bronchitis and emphysema) is a major public health problem in Australia. The main known cause is cigarette smoking, which peaked among Australian men shortly after the second world war. Now that the consequences of this epidemic of smoking are passing, more attention needs to be paid to other causes of the condition. The proposed study will focus on occupational and domestic exposures and dietary factors in older people. Dusty jobs have long been associated with COPD. However it is not known to what extent other occupational exposures to fumes and vapours are also responsible. Identifying such jobs would lead to better workplace conditions and prevention of further cases. Workers who have already developed COPD could be more fairly compensated. Similarly if indoor exposures to tobacco smoke and unvented gas appliances were found to play a role, further controls on smoking, flues and improved ventilation could also prevent cases of COPD. It is generally thought that emphysema develops from an imbalance between the oxidative stresses on the lungs and protective enzymes. A diet high in antioxidant vitamins and fish may protect against the development of COPD. If confirmed by this study, it would then be possible to conduct clinical trials of supplementation in smokers at risk of developing COPD. Public nutritional education could reduce the incidence of the condition in the future.Read moreRead less
Functional Analysis Of Recently Identified Novel Glaucoma Genes.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$519,918.00
Summary
Glaucoma is the commonest cause of irreversible blindness in the world. Recently, through genetic studies in cohorts of blinding glaucoma cases from Australia, our group has found that variants in two genes increase the risk of blinding glaucoma. This project will investigate how these genes contribute to pathological changes in the optic nerve and retina, at the back of the eye, that lead to glaucoma. This knowledge will be useful for developing new strategies to treat glaucoma.
The Role Of EphA2 Signalling And Environmental Modifiers In Cataract.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$591,547.00
Summary
In cataract the clear lens in the eye becomes opaque causing blindness. Cataract is very common in the elderly, but is rarely also seen in babies and children. In babies certain gene defects, and in the elderly the genes and environmental factors contribute to cataract. The EPHA2 gene causes cataract in both young and old people. This project aims to understand how EPHA2 and other related genes cause cataract in young and old people, to prevent, delay or improve its treatment in the future.