Prospective Honours Projects for 2008/9

Supervisor: A/Prof Robert Casson
Discipline: Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences
Location: SA Institute of Ophthalmology, Level 8, East Wing, Royal Adelaide Hospital
Telephone: +61 8 8222 2729
Email: Robert.casson@adelaide.edu.au

The role of osteopontin in the retina

Osteopontin (OPN) is a single-chain polypeptide, originally described in bone, which acts as an inflammatory mediator and trophic factor in a variety of tissues. (Block et al., 2007). We have exciting preliminary data showing that OPN is synthesised by retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in healthy retina and by retinal microglia after ischemic and excitotoxic injuries (CIA1, CIB1, Chidlow et al 2007); however, the factors mediating its production and its role in the retina remain completely unknown. We hypothesise that the release of certain inflammatory mediators following ischemic-like injuries results in the synthesis of OPN by retinal microglia, which then functions to aid the survival of neurons, including RGCs. To test this hypothesis, the project has the following aims

• to determine whether the pro-inflammatory mediators TNF-a and IL-1b are responsible for synthesis and release of OPN by microglia following ischemia/excitotoxicity.
• to determine the effect of an increased level of OPN on neuronal survival?

Baseline rapid visual impairment and cataract assessment in rural Myanmar and implementation of an enhanced cataract surgery service.

This project follows from recent research conducted by the South Australian Institute of Ophthalmology (SAIO) in central Myanmar (formerly Burma). We conducted a large population-based survey (The Meiktila Eye Study) and showed high rates of cataract blindness and angle-closure glaucoma in this population. This new project would involve a smaller survey in a different region as a baseline prior to a programme which would increase the cataract surgery rate. This could involve supervised data collection in the field and the candidate would require some ophthalmic knowledge, but this could be learned on the job by a bright and enthusiastic candidate. The project would require data analysis and development of epidemiological and statistical skills.

Prevalence and risk factors for cataract in central Sri Lanka.

(This project would use data that has already been collected from the Kandy District in the central province of Sri Lanka. The project would require data analysis and development of epidemiological and statistical skills. It could potentially be expanded to involve further data analysis of other common ophthalmic disease in this region.

Prevalence and risk factors for retinal disease in central Sri Lanka

This project would use data that has already been collected from the Kandy District in the central province of Sri Lanka. The project would require data analysis and development of epidemiological and statistical skills. It could potentially be expanded to involve further data analysis of other common ophthalmic disease in this region.

The relationship between ocular and endocrinological changes in ageing men: the Florey Adelaide Male Ageing Study.

This project would use data collected from the ophthalmic arm of the Florey Study on 500 men and correlate this with previously collected data about hormone status. It is envisaged that a number of hypotheses under this thematic umbrella could be tested including the effect of changing hormone levels on lens opacity and retinal nerve fibre layer thickness. The project would require data analysis and development of epidemiological and statistical skills.

The relationship between retinal anatomical features and brain structure and function in ageing men: the Florey Adelaide Male Ageing Study.

(This project would use data collected from the ophthalmic arm of the Florey Study on 500 men and correlate this with data relating to brain function. It is envisaged that a number of hypotheses under this thematic umbrella could be tested including the relationship between retinal nerve fibre layer thickness and motor function. The project would require data analysis and development of epidemiological and statistical skills.

Investigating the potential neuroprotective qualities of coenzyme-Q10 on the retina.

Glaucoma is the largest neurodegenerative cause of blindness world-wide, characterised by the death of retinal ganglion cells. This project will address the protection of retinal ganglion cells using the bioenergetic compound coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). CoQ10 is a component of the mitochondrial respiratory pathway, carrying electrons from complex I and complex II to complex III, and is a potent anti-oxidant. Dietary supplementation of CoQ10 has been shown to increase mitochondrial CoQ10 levels in the rat brain, and has provided neuroprotection against animal models of Huntington’s disease (Matthews et al., 1998) and Parkinson’s disease (Schulz et al., 2005; Beal et al., 1998). The neuroprotective qualities of CoQ10 have been suggested, at least in part, to be via the stabilisation of the mitochondrial membrane potential (Somayajulu et al., 2005). There is currently no published data on the neuroprotective qualities of CoQ10 on retinal neurodegenerative models.

This project will provide the first data on the potential of CoQ10 dietary supplementation to provide neuroprotection against an established retinal neurodegenerative animal model.

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