Coordinators
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NZ-NEC Research and Development Manager
Department of Ophthalmology
Phone +64 9 373 7599 ext 86337
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NZ-NEC Chief Administrator
Department of Ophthalmology
Phone +64 9 373 7599 ext 86712
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2012 NZ-NEC Seminar Series
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The 2012 NZ-NEC Seminar Series is kindly sponsored by
Alcon.
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Prof Adrian Palacios, Director Posgraduate Neuroscience Programme, University
of Valparaiso, Chile
Octodon degus - a model organism to study Eye, Vision and Brain
The South American rodent family Octodontidae (Caviomorpha) offers an ideal case
where to study correlations between natural habitat conditions and the structure
and function of their visual systems. We have studied the eyes from the diurnal
Octodon degus, the nocturnal Octodon lunatus and Octodon bridgesi
and the subterranean Spalacus cyanus by analyzing the optical properties
of the eye, the presence and distribution of rod and cone photoreceptors, and their
spectral sensitivities. The four species are dichromate and have a cone visual pigment
that peaks in the UV. More recently we shows that during aging Octodon degus
naturally develop brain signs of Alzheimer diseases (AD), exhibiting soluble oligomers
and hyperphosporilated tau protein, inducing a decline in spatial and object memory,
neural plasticity and the molecular cue markers of AD.
Professor Agustin Martinez, Principal Investigator of the Connexin Group, University
of Valparaiso, Chile
How to learn to play the Tsuzumi without going deaf
This seminar will be focused in the oligomerization of a channel (Connexin26) and
into the pathogenesis of the disease most commonly associated with gap junction
mutants (deafness). I will present data showing the importance of the first transmembrane
domain (TM1) and the amino terminal domain in connexin26 oligomerization, and for
the function of hemichannels and gap junction channels. The changes in oligomerization
and in the function and permeability of the channels formed by deafness-related
mutants localized in these domains correlate with the severity of the disease.
26th March 2012, 4-5pm.
Conference Room, Domain Lodge, 1 Boyle Crescent, Grafton.
Stuti Misra, PhD Student, Department of Ophthalmology
Corneal microstructure changes in diabetes mellitus
Electron microscopy of nerve biopsies, and ex vivo confocal microscopy of skin punch
biopsies allow direct examination of nerve fibre damage and repair in diabetes.
However, both are invasive procedures and can induce persistent pain at the biopsy
site, cold intolerance and sensory deficits. In vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM)
avoids these problems through non-invasive imaging of living human corneal nerves.
In my study, I am investigating the relationship between corneal sub-basal nerve
plexus density, corneal sensitivity, and peripheral neuropathy. In this presentation,
I will talk about the assessment of nerve damage in type 1 diabetes mellitus without
the need for biopsies. Additionally, I will discuss the potential role of corneal
IVCM as a surrogate in assessment of peripheral diabetic neuropathy and monitoring
of novel treatments.
Tzu-Ying (Sandy) Yu, PhD Student, Department of Optometry and Vision Science
Assessing visual function and motion processing in two-year-old children who were
at risk of developing neonatal hypoglycaemia
Visual motion processing, which relies on the dorsal cortical visual stream, is
an important visual function. It has been shown in children and adults that motion
processing is particularly vulnerable in babies born prematurely and several developmental
disorders, for example William’s syndrome, Fragile-X syndrome, hemiplegia, autism,
and dyslexia. Assessment of the development of central neurological functions, such
as cortical motion perception, is increasingly important in paediatric neurology
as more infants survive perinatal adversities. One common adversity is neonatal
hypoglycaemia. Although when severe this condition is known to have detrimental
effects on neurodevelopment including vision, little is known about how either the
severity or duration of hypoglycaemia can affect visual development and visual motion
processing.
Aim: Investigate visual function and motion processing in 2-year-old children who
were at risk of developing neonatal hypoglycaemia.
27th April 2012, 4-5pm.
Conference Room, Domain Lodge, 1 Boyle Crescent, Grafton.
Charlotte Jordan, PhD Student, Department of Ophthalmology
Cindy Guo, PhD Student, Department of Optometry and Vision Science
15th June 2012, 4-5pm.
Conference Room, Domain Lodge, 1 Boyle Crescent, Grafton.
Factors affecting artificial eye wear
Elissa McDonald, PhD Student, Department of Ophthalmology
10th August 2012, 4-5pm.
Conference Room, Domain Lodge, 1 Boyle Crescent, Grafton.
Isabella Cheung, PhD Student, Department of Ophthalmology
Speaker to be confirmed, Myopia Lab, Department of Optometry and Vision Science
19th October 2012, 4-5pm.
Conference Room, Domain Lodge, 1 Boyle Crescent, Grafton.
Transcranial direct current stimulation and visual cortex plasticity
Carol Green, PhD Student, Department of Ophthalmology
14th December 2012, 4-5pm.
Conference Room, Domain Lodge, 1 Boyle Crescent, Grafton.
