The Cellular Organisation Of Interneurones In Human Retina
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$526,454.00
Summary
Our goal is to determine the numbers and types of nerve cells in the human retina: the part of the eye where visual processing starts. This data will serve as a baseline against which effects of visual disease can be measured.
Understanding the structure of the human retina is important for understanding normal visual function. The goal of this study is to supply data on the distribution, density and connectivity of nerve cells in the human retina. Our study will provide a foundation for areas of clinical investigation of the human retina.
The Role Of Gliosis In Advanced Retinal Degeneration
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$457,785.00
Summary
The development of treatments that restore vision assumes that the output neurons of the retina remain intact. Yet, there is now considerable evidence that the neurons that signal from the retina to the brain are altered in those that have degenerative diseases of the retina. Here, we will examine the cause of these cellular changes in an animal model and seek to prevent the loss of output neurons. This information is crucial for the development of treatments that seeks to restore vision.
We will investigate changes in the retina secondary to disease process and try and modify them to allow a longer time frame for intervention. These changes (remodelling) are detrimental to visual function and the effectiveness of measures aimed at restoring vision, eg, bionic eye.
The retina lines the back of the eye and sends multiple movies of the visual world to the brain. This project aims to investigate how these multiple information channels are created. Descriptions of the basic pattern of wiring in the healthy retina will help clinical researchers to understand the disruptions that occur in visual disease. The precision of normal retinal wiring also delineates the precision required to restore normal function to a diseased or degenerating eye.
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.
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.
Glial-neuronal-vascular Interactions In A Novel Transgenic Model Of Muller Cell Dysfunction
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$626,585.00
Summary
Muller cell disfunction is a feature shared by many retinal diseases. This project aims to study the contribution of Muller cell dysfunction to retinal neuronal damage and blood-retinal barrier breakdown in a novel transgenic model we recently generated. Results of this study will also be of interest to scientists and clinicians seeking to understand better and treat diseases of the central nervous system in general.