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.
A Genome-wide Association Study In 2000 Glaucoma Cases With Matched Controls Using Equimoloar DNA Pools
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$610,267.00
Summary
Glaucoma is a common cause of loss of vision worldwide but we are unable to predict which people are at high risk of blindness. We aim to discover the genetic risk factors for glaucoma. We will use cutting edge genetic technology to assess the whole genome in thousands of patients with glaucoma. We hope to identify important new glaucoma genes, which could lead to the development of diagnostic tests and treatments which will provide the most cost-efficient ways to prevent glaucoma 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
A history of press photography in Australia. Press photography has long influenced how Australians have understood themselves and their world. In collaboration with the National Library of Australia and the Walkley Foundation, the project explores the evolving role of photographs in breaking news, and historical shifts in photographic technologies, media practices and ethics.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE140100120
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$190,000.00
Summary
Design & Art Australia Online Research Tool: enabling next generation e-Research in Australia's visual and design cultures. Design and art Australia online research tool: enabling next generation e-Research in Australia's visual and design cultures: This project builds on the recent and highly successful transformation of Design and Art Australia Online (DAAO). As DAAO increases its information base through its automated harvest facilities (LIEF2012) and draws more active engagement from researc ....Design & Art Australia Online Research Tool: enabling next generation e-Research in Australia's visual and design cultures. Design and art Australia online research tool: enabling next generation e-Research in Australia's visual and design cultures: This project builds on the recent and highly successful transformation of Design and Art Australia Online (DAAO). As DAAO increases its information base through its automated harvest facilities (LIEF2012) and draws more active engagement from researchers, new demands are being placed on the facility. Modifications are required to enhance the capabilities of researchers to expand the scope of research facilities offered. This project will refine schema and mappings of events and works to better match researcher queries and enabling data repurposing for visualisation; automate linking facility between established entity links; and develop researcher collaboration functionalities.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE120100056
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$240,000.00
Summary
Design and Art Australia Online: Sustainable data sharing for Australian researchers and collections. This project will produce a comprehensive and authorative research facility of national and international signi?cance. The enhanced Design and Art Australia Online facility will provide crucial information pertaining to Australia’s art and design heritage that will be open for researchers of all levels, from school students through to higher-education researchers.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100201
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$400,000.00
Summary
Design and art of Australia online, a transformation of the dictionary of Australian artists online. The Design & Art of Australia Online (DAAO) archive provides global exposure for Australian scholarship on art and design, along with tangible economic, social and cultural benefits toward the sustainability of cultural industries.
The next generation of the DAAO will enable cultural policy to be informed by an expanded and growing collection of scholarly research. It contributes to national dig ....Design and art of Australia online, a transformation of the dictionary of Australian artists online. The Design & Art of Australia Online (DAAO) archive provides global exposure for Australian scholarship on art and design, along with tangible economic, social and cultural benefits toward the sustainability of cultural industries.
The next generation of the DAAO will enable cultural policy to be informed by an expanded and growing collection of scholarly research. It contributes to national digital humanities infrastructure by collaboratively working toward efficient discovery of data and interoperative infrastructure. Moreover the DAAO has potential as an enabling technology for Australia's Indigenous visual arts and craft sector in meeting the challenges of unethical conduct, sustainability and further developing international markets.Read moreRead less
Feminist theory meets indigenous art. Aboriginal reconciliation is high on the social and cultural agenda in Australian life. The place of art in this political moment has been critical - the culture of Australian indigenous people has come to international attention, and won recognition, largely through art works. This reflects in many cases a political strategy on the part of indigenous communities to use art to depict their traditional Dreamings, of which the world was ignorant. But underlyin ....Feminist theory meets indigenous art. Aboriginal reconciliation is high on the social and cultural agenda in Australian life. The place of art in this political moment has been critical - the culture of Australian indigenous people has come to international attention, and won recognition, largely through art works. This reflects in many cases a political strategy on the part of indigenous communities to use art to depict their traditional Dreamings, of which the world was ignorant. But underlying this, is the assumption made in Aboriginal philosophies that the art is the knowledge it portrays, which in turn evokes title to land through the law of Dreaming, of belonging to "country". To better understand this negotiation advances debate on issues surrounding reconciliation.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR1101002
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$21,000,000.00
Summary
Stem Cells Australia. Despite progress in stem cell research, scientists do not understand how stem cells “decide” what to become. Stem Cells Australia will draw upon strengths within Australia’s premier stem cell research universities and institutes. This collaboration between leading bioengineering, nanotechnology, stem cell and advanced molecular analysis experts, will fast-track efforts to deliver a fundamental understanding of the mechanisms of stem cell regulation and differentiation, and ....Stem Cells Australia. Despite progress in stem cell research, scientists do not understand how stem cells “decide” what to become. Stem Cells Australia will draw upon strengths within Australia’s premier stem cell research universities and institutes. This collaboration between leading bioengineering, nanotechnology, stem cell and advanced molecular analysis experts, will fast-track efforts to deliver a fundamental understanding of the mechanisms of stem cell regulation and differentiation, and the ability to control and influence this process. Stem Cells Australia will deliver new methods for stem cell propagation and manipulation, new translational technologies for therapeutic applications, and will prepare Australia’s future stem cell scientific leaders.Read moreRead less
Identifying genes that influence clinical course and susceptibility in multiple sclerosis. This project aims to identify the genetic basis of multiple sclerosis (MS), the most common neurologic disease in young Australian adults. MS urgently needs research to identify predisposition, aid early diagnosis and provide bona fide molecular targets for new therapies. This will benefit people with MS and those susceptible to it. Crucial new knowledge identified will benefit other major areas of MS rese ....Identifying genes that influence clinical course and susceptibility in multiple sclerosis. This project aims to identify the genetic basis of multiple sclerosis (MS), the most common neurologic disease in young Australian adults. MS urgently needs research to identify predisposition, aid early diagnosis and provide bona fide molecular targets for new therapies. This will benefit people with MS and those susceptible to it. Crucial new knowledge identified will benefit other major areas of MS research including epidemiology, immunology and neurobiology. Collaboration of 8 major Australian institutions is also important for this project and future studies. The team will have access to a new national MS GeneBank (platform) with samples from 2240 patients that should generate findings important to world-wide MS genetic knowledge.Read moreRead less