Development of scanning laser ophthalmoscopy to improve treatment in Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a frequent microvascular complication in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Early detection or prediction of onset is important as impaired function in the eye cannot be restored. Control of endothelial cell damage at an early stage would prevent or delay the development of DR but the challenge is to identify which patients will benefit and the optimum point for intervention. Increased adhesion of leukocytes to the retinal endothelium has been reported to occur at an early stage in DR and its development can be delayed by reducing the adhesion of leukocytes. A recent study by our group showed that there was selectivity in leukocyte adhesion with CD11b+ monocytes being the predominant cell type trapped at the site of capillary occlusion. The study used our unique custom-built non-invasive scanning laser ophthalmoscope (SLO) to detect and analyse cells adhering to the retinal microvasculature in diabetic mice.

This interdisciplinary project between Engineering and Medical Sciences will upgrade the SLO so that we can image up to three fluorescent channels simultaneously allowing for selective labelling of different leukocyte subsets and endothelial adhesion molecules to allow detailed imaging of leukocyte-endothelium interaction in DR and response to treatment.
The research will mainly involve design and development of a three colour laser system to scan the retina and capture and process the image.

The successful candidate should have, or expect to have, an Honours Degree at 2.1 or above (or equivalent) in Electrical/Electronic Engineering; Physics; Mechanical Engineering.

Essential Background: Applied Physics.

Knowledge of: Advantageous to have knowledge in Laser and Optics.