Lens Research Laboratory - Honours projects available in 2009

An Honours project undertaken in this lab would be administered by the Discipline of Anatomy & Histology.

Research in our laboratory is directed at identifying the molecular mechanisms that regulate eye lens development, growth and pathology. Our research group has two major laboratories, one situated in the Anderson Stuart Building on the main University campus and the other at the Save Sight Institute at Sydney Eye Hospital on Macquarie Street.

Using a range of techniques such as tissue culture, immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridisation, PCR, chromatography, Western blotting, light and electron microscopy, in vitro biological assays and transgenic mouse strategies, we investigate the expression, effects and function of different growth factors, their receptors and regulation of intracellular signalling, in normal lens development and pathology. In particular we have shown that members of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and Wnt families are important regulators of lens epithelial cell proliferation, migration and differentiation and are important for the normal development and maintenance of the lens. Our studies have also shown that other growth factors, for example, transforming growth factor β (TGFβ), induce the formation of fibrotic plaques that lead to cataract (loss of lens transparency), analogous to that found in humans.

Students that undertake Honours projects in our laboratory can expect to be exposed to a wide array of techniques, encompassing cellular, developmental and molecular biology, and can carry out a project in one or a combination of the following areas:

1. Normal lens biology

Supervisor + contact details:

• Associate Professor Frank Lovicu
• Professor John W McAvoy

Students can carry out a project in one or a combination of the areas described below:

• investigate the role of growth factors (FGF, PDGF, IGF, EGF, BMPs) and their signalling pathways in regulating lens cell proliferation and fibre differentiation using lens epithelial explants and/or transgenic mouse models
• identify factors (related to Wnt signalling) that maintain the normal lens epithelial phenotypic characteristics including cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion and communication
• use in vitro assays and transgenic mice to determine the role of novel genes (Crim1, Sef, Sprouty) thought to be involved in regulation of growth factor bioavailability.
• use electron microscopy and tissue culture to identify the molecules in the ocular fluid that are important for lens cell differentiation and how this contributes to lens transparency.

2. Lens pathology (cataract)

Supervisor + contact details:

• Associate Professor Frank Lovicu
• Professor John W McAvoy

Students can carry out a project in one or a combination of the areas described below:

• use transgenic mouse models to understand how TGFβ induces and regulates cataract formation
• use lens explant cultures to determine how TGFβ disrupts normal lens signalling pathways and induces an epithelial-mesenchymal transition, characteristic of cataract.