Laboratory Research

L to R: Dr Glyn Chidlow, Dr Sarabjit Saggu, A/Prof Bob Casson, Dr John Wood

The Ophthalmic Research Laboratories

The Ophthalmic Research Laboratory (ORL) is located in the Hanson Institute,
Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science (IMVS),
Frome Rd, Adelaide, South Australia

The ORL is the laboratory-based research arm of the Central Northern Health Service Ophthalmology Network.

History

The ORL commenced research in 2005 and was initiated by A/Prof Casson upon return from doctoral research at Oxford University.

Laboratory space was appointed in the Neuroscience Centre and collaborative research with the Neuropathology Group commenced.

The unit has continued to expand and has attracted world class research scientists from Oxford University.

Recent collaborations have been established with Professor John Marshall in London and Professor Jonathon Crowston in Melbourne.

Funding

The ORL is currently funded by competitive grants and industry-based finance. Staff and equipment are financed via these sources. Infrastructure within the Hanson Centre is provided by the IMVS.

Research

Research currently involves aspects of retinal cell biology and glaucoma and uses both in vitro and in vivo systems and state-of-the-art molecular biology techniques.

Current projects:

• Bio-energetic based neuroprotection for glaucoma and retina diseases. This project is currently funded by a grant from the Ophthalmic Research Institute of Australia and has received a Pfizer Neuroscience Award.

• Early molecular events after neuronal injury. This project is investigating causal relationships between molecular markers of neuronal injury, including Calpain-regulated p35/CDK5, and focuses on events in the first few hours after injury, using state-of-the-art molecular techniques and in vitro retinal models. We have shown that creatine can protect nerve cells and are currently investigating the effects of short-duration glucose therapy.
  

• Osteopontin in the retina. This project is investigating the role of osteopontin in the retina in health and disease. To date, we have characterized osteopontin expression in healthy retinal ganglion cells and after retinal injury in microglia. This project involves both in vitro and in vivo models, and manuscripts are in preparation.

• Aspects of optic nerve pathology after retinal excitotoxic injury. This project is using an in vivo rat model of excitotoxic injury and is assessing pathological changes in the downstream retinal ganglion cell axons which comprise the optic nerve. A number of techniques, including light microscopy, electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry, Western blotting and quantitative RT-PCR are being used. To date, we have shown that after excitotoxic injury to the soma, the first portion of the nerve to show pathological change is at the distal segment, consistent with a dying back process. This is a novel and exciting finding and manuscripts are in preparation. The project will also focus on the response of the glial cells in the optic nerve following the upstream neuronal injury.

• Optic nerve pathology in experimental glaucoma. This project was spawned from the exciting discoveries from the above project and will use a laser model of glaucoma in rats and a transgenic mouse model.

• The effect of ultra-short pulsed laser on trabecular meshwork cells. This project is being conducted with an Adelaide-based laser company (Ellex Lasers). Here, we are investigating cellular injury after a range of laser energies has been delivered to an in vitro model. This project has been highly successful and has led to further collaborative work which will involve novel uses of laser technology to treat retinal diseases.