The Molecular Vision Laboratory (MVL) has extensive molecular and cellular expertise
in the general field of membrane transport. Members of the laboratory utilise electrophysiology,
imaging, biochemistry, proteomics, molecular biology, and computer modeling to determine
how the properties of ion channels and transporters contribute to the integrative
function of ocular tissues that comprise the front of the eye.
Find out more about MVL Members
Research projects
in the lens are focused on determining how the interaction of a variety of ion channels
and transporters contribute to the maintenance of lens transparency. It has been
proposed that spatial differences in ion channels and transporters drive an internal
microcirculation system, which in the absence of a blood supply delivers nutrients
and controls the volume of the lens. We have hypothesised that a decline in the
ability to deliver nutrients, including the antioxidants that protect the lens against
oxidative damage, is an initiator of old age cataract, the leading cause of blindness
in the world today. By mapping the antioxidant pathways in different regions of
the lens we hope to be able to identify strategies that will enhance antioxidant
delivery and thereby delay the onset of cataract. Diabetic cataract is associated
with a loss of cell volume in cortical lens cells. Other projects in the MVL are
investigating the cellular mechanisms responsible for the maintenance of lens volume.
Here the emphasis is to characterise the mechanisms involved with the view to identify
drug targets against which anti-cataract therapies can be designed.
Read more about our
Research projects
While the majority of projects currently involve the lens, work on the ciliary body
has focused the gap junctions that functionally couple the two distinctly different
cell layers that comprise the ciliary epithelium. These cell-to-cell channels are
thought represent a rate limiting step in the secretion of the aqueous humour. Hence
they represent a potential target for the development of anti-glaucoma therapies
designed to lower intraocular pressure via reducing the production of aqueous humor.
Similary, work on the cornea has concentrated on determining the role played by
gap junction channels in the differentiation and maintenance of the corneal epithelium.
Here our hypothesis is that modulation of connexin expression can influence the
response of the cornea to wound healing. Thus research in the MVL strives to advance
our understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying ocular diseases
associated with the front of the eye.
In 2008, the MVL became
a foundation partner in the formation of The New Zealand National Eye Centre (NZ-NEC).
NZ-NEC is an interfaculty research centre formed by researchers in the field of
ophthalmology, optometry, eye health and visual sciences at The University of Auckland.
The unique composition of the Centre includes the two ophthalmic professions – the
Department of Ophthalmology (Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences) and the Department
of Optometry and Vision Science (Faculty of Science) incorporating the Molecular
Vision Laboratory, previously based in the Department of Physiology. The NZ-NEC
constituent departments currently have a combined staff of more than 100 clinicians,
clinician-scientists and vision-scientists, including honorary appointments, working
in the area of eye health, vision research and education in New Zealand.
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