Retinal and Cerebral Neurobiology - Honours in 2010
An Honours project undertaken in this lab would be administered by the Discipline of Physiology.
Professor Jonathan Stone leads research into the stability of the central nervous system, in particular into degenerative diseases of the retina (retinitis pigmentosa) and brain (dementia). We work primarily with animal models of the diseases, in which we analyse the cell biology of the degenerative process, and devise interventions to stabilize the affected cells. In the retinal work, we are using a range of parameters - light management, anti-oxidants, oxygen management and photobiomodulation - to stabilize cone and rod photoreceptors, and are investigating the neurochemistry of their interactions. In the brain, our focus is on the role of the cerebral vasculature in the formation of the plaque pathology which characterizes the Alzheimer-like dementias. Again we are trialling ways of stabilising vessels, and of reducing the neural damage done if they bleed, exploring novel and exciting ways of managing a still-intractable conditions.
The retinal work is part of the program of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Vision Sciences. Both retinal and cerebral projects are designed to identify potential therapies, based on new understanding of the cerebral biology of stress in the central nervous system. The laboratory is participating in clinical trial of light management for retinitis pigmentosa, which is grounded in our work on animal models.
Stability of the central nervous system and degenerative diseases of the retina (retinitis pigmentosa) and brain (dementia)
Supervisor + contact details:
- Professor Jonathan Stone
Project of interest for Honours students include:
- The influence of dietary anti-oxidants on cone-rod dependence in the degenerating retina.
- The effectiveness of photobiomodulation in stabilising the aging retina
- The effectiveness of anti-oxidants and photobiomodulation in slowing neuropathology in transgenic mouse models of dementia
