Our work has important applications in the development of tools and technologies for robotics and medicine.The group is part of the campus wide Centre for Visual Sciences and the ARC Centre for Excellence in Vision Science.

Current Research

Dr Michael Ibbotson's Lab (Head of Group)

Visual Processing in Mammalian Brains

My laboratory studies the neural basis of visual perception by recording single cell activity in cat and monkey cortex and by measuring human reactions to visual stimulation. Topics include the neural basis of motion processing and adaptation to contrast and motion. In behaving monkeys we record neural activity during eye movements and relate the findings to perception. Laboratory webpage.

Dr Gert Stange's Lab

Bio-inspired principles of flight control

Our laboratory investigates the processes and techniques involved in insect vision. All insects are limited by severe size and weight restrictions, which means that they cannot carry large brains or highly complex visual systems. This means that they often employ simple optical or neural 'tricks' to achieve complex behavioural tasks. We are interested in investigating these 'tricks' with the intention of applying the principles of insect vision to real world engineering type problems. Our main study animal is the dragonfly, which is capable of amazingly acrobatic flights at very high speed. We are especially interested in how the three simples eyes of the dragonfly (the ocelli) may contribute to their acrobatic abilities.

Dr Keely Bumsted-O'Brien's Lab

Prof. Shin-Ho Chung's Lab

Dr Jan Hemmi's Lab

Neuroethology of Visual Information Processing and Colour Vision

The aim of our research is to explore the relationship between an animals' information processing requirements and the design of their visual system. We are especially interested in how these factors constrain and shape their decision making, as seen in their behaviour. We work with a range of study animals such as fiddler crabs and marsupials.

Dr Andrew James' Lab

Human Brain Dynamics

We are studying interactions in the hierarchy of cortical areas using multimodal neuroimaging techniques. This includes the multifocal mapping of activity in early cortical areas combining responses recorded with electroencephalography and magnetoencephalography with spatial constraints obtained with functional magnetic resonance imaging, and the study of the effects of transcranial magnetic stimulation on perceptual processes.

Dr Ted Maddess' Lab

Development of Visual Diagnostics for Eye Diseases

We are studying how the eye processes motion, size, texture, and brightness. We are also interested in multifocal methods with applications in neurophysiology, and objective perimetry for diseases like glaucoma and multiple sclerosis.

Dr Lauren Marotte's Lab

Development of the Visual System

We are studying the development of the visual system using the marsupial mammal, the wallaby, as a model. The protracted and largely postnatal development of its visual system makes it an excellent alternative to common laboratory placental mammals for developmental studies. Molecular and anatomical methods are used to investigate mechanisms involved in establishing maps of the visual world in visual centres in the brain. A stereotaxic atlas of the wallaby brain is available here.

Dr Ian Morgan's Lab

Retinal and Myopia Research

Our current major emphasis is how retinal circuits control eye growth, and hence regulate the development of short-sightedness. In human epidemiological studies, we explore environmental (education and life-style) factors that promote short-sightedness. In parallel laboratory experimentation, we explore the optical and cellular/molecular pathways that control eye growth, in an attempt to develop preventive regimes.

Prof. Jan Provis' Lab

Foveal Development and Macular Degeneration

Signals from cone photoreceptors provide the basis of almost all of our useful vision. Pathways originating from cones mediate high acuity, colour vision via so-called 'Midget' pathways, which dominate the central few millimeters of primate retina, including the fovea centralis ('fovea'). During early development foveal cones are amongst the first cells to differentiate, appearing as cuboidal, epithelial-like cells. Over the first few years of life they become slender, elongated cells with an elaborate axon, and highly elongated inner and outer segments. A slender shape facilitates close-packing of cones at the fovea, and is the anatomical stubstrate of high resolution vision. In the central fovea, the photoreceptor mosaic comprises cones exclusively, at their highest spatial density; these cones are narrower and more elongated than elsewhere in the retina.

Attainment of adult-like acuity functions in childhood is associated with a slender, elongated cone morphology at the fovea; loss of this morphology is a critical feature of both age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and retinal detachment. Despite the critical relationship between cone shape and visual function, the mechanisms that mediate morphological differentiation during development, and the maintenance of cones through adulthood and old-age, have not been identified. Work in this lab is directed at understanding the mechanisms underlying morphological differentiation of cone photoreceptors, development of the fovea and surrounding macula, and ageing and degeneration of the macula, as occurs in Age-related Macula Degneration.

Prof. Jonathan Stone's Lab

Retinitis Pigmentosa

We are exploring the mechanisms which control the stability of nerve cells of the central nervous system, and whose breakdown results in neuronal death, causing the degenerative disease of the CNS. Many of our projects concern the retina of the eye, and especially the neurones specialised to detect light, the photoreceptors. These highly active and specialised neurones are amongst the most fragile of CNS cells; they degenerate in response to both genetic and environmental stresses. Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a diagnosis given to a group of diseases where the insidious death of retinal photoreceptor occurs causes blindness. RP affects 1 person in 4,000, thus about 5,000 Australians and 1-2 million people world-wide. Patients are usually in their late teens or early 20's when diagnosed and they face a life of gathering blindness with no effective treatment. Our laboratory is part of a world-wide effort to find effective treatment.

Effects of environmental factors on the rodent retina

Extensive work has been done on the causes of retinal degenerations. About 50% are clearly genetic, the other 50% occur without family history. Several features of retinitis pigmentosa also remain unexplained, particularly the relentless progression of the disease. Many forms of RP are caused by genetic mutation of rod-specific genes, yet the degeneration spreads from the rods to the cones, causing the loss of the entire photoreceptor population and blindness. Recent work in our laboratory led us to formulate an "oxygen toxicity" hypothesis, to explain the progressive nature of the disease. In this series of studies we are looking at the effects of different oxygen levels or light intensity levels on photoreceptor survival in normogenetic and degenerative retinae.   By understanding the mechanisms underlying retinal degenerations, we will be able to model retinal degenerations and to study the effects of therapeutical interventions on these theoretical models, and to use our knowledge in clinical trials.

Protective mechanisms in the rodent retina

Examining the effects of changing environmental factors on the progress of retinal degneration, genetic or environmental, we are learning the process of the disease and the protective mechanisms by which the retina fights to survive. It has become clear in recent years that the degeneration takes place against a background of active resistance by the retina. The mechanisms by which the retina protects itself are also becoming clear. The retina is able to secrete proteins - sometimes called factors - which somehow protect retinal cells against damage. The mechanisms of secretion and action of these factors remain largely unknown. In this series of experiments we assess the role of protective (neurotrophic) factors in the normal retina's resistance to stress, such as light damage, identify the high-affinity receptors involved and trace their regulation by genetic and environmental stress. By using electroretinography we also assess the direct effects of these factors on photoreceptor function.

Roles of Mitochondria in Retinal Degenerations

Mitochondria serve (at least) 3 functions in every cell. They are the site of oxidative metabolism, and the source of signals which induce or suppress apoptotic (programmed) cell death. Mitochondria are abundant in photoreceptors, and we have begun testing whether mitochondrial damage is a factor in photoreceptor degeneration. We have shown for the first time that deletions in mtDNA (mitochondrial DNA) are abnormally frequent in degenerating retina. Recent studies have shown that somatically aquired mutations such as deletion of mtDNA are caused by oxygen damage or UV irradiation during the life of the individual. Accumulation of these somatic mutations in postmitotic cells (such as neurones) causes bioenergetic deficiency leading to age-associated dysfunction of cells and organs. An accelerated accumulation of mtDNA fragmentation leads to premature ageing and/or degenerative diseases. In this study we are screening photoreceptors of normal ageing and degenerative retinae . We are also looking at the role of mtDNA deletions in light induced retinal degenerations.

Dr Krisztina Valter's Lab

Retinal cell damage and repair: development of cellular biology based therapies

Photoreceptors are the light sensitive cells in the retina, and the sites where light is captured and transformed from electromagnetic waves to neural signals. Thus, photoreceptors are making the first steps in the process of vision. Damage to the photoreceptors leads to severe visual disturbances or blindness. Understanding the mechanisms that lead to photoreceptor damage and the processes by which the retinal tissue is trying to heal damaged cells are important. To find out more about the repair systems of the retina, we are using rodent models of retinal degenerations to follow the progression of cell damage and repair. Using genetic and environmentally-induced retinal dystrophy models, we are looking at signs of reversible and irreversible damage in photoreceptors, and the long-term consequences of cell loss on the function and structure of the retina. Changes in retinal metabolism, mitochondrial status and protective factor expressions are the focus of our investigations. Using our understanding of the cell biology of these cells and the protective mechanisms, we are developing non-invasive therapeutical approaches to prevent or slow photoreceptor degenerations.

Dr Jochen Zeil's Lab

Visual Ecology

We aim to understand the evolution and adaptive significance of eye specialisations in animals. One of our major projects at the moment is to establish an inventory of visual tasks in fiddler crabs. We also use a mobile robotic gantry to reconstruct the views seen by flying insects.  For further details see Visual Ecology webpage.

Dr Shao Wu Zhang's Lab

Insect Vision, Perception and Navigation

Insects such as honeybees are impressive navigators despite their relatively small brains and simple nervous systems. We aim to elucidate principles of vision, flight control and navigation in honeybees through behavioural experiments.

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People and Contacts

Name	Role	Phone	Email
Doughty, Larissa	Research Assistant
Hoyles, Matthew	Visiting Fellow
Maleszka, Joanna	Senior Technical Officer	+61 2 6125 0451
Provis, Jan	Affiliate Member

Dr Andrew James' Lab

Name	Role	Phone	Email
Bordier, Cecile	Postdoctoral Fellow	+61 2 6125 6799
Doolan, Benjamin	PhD Student	+61 2 6125 1059
Goh, Xin-Lin	PhD Student	+61 2 6125 1659
Inverso, Samuel	PhD Student	+61 2 6125 1059
James, Andrew	Research Officer	+61 2 6125 5441

Dr Brendan O'Brien's Lab

Name	Role	Phone	Email
O'Brien, Brendan	Lecturer	+61 2 6125 2803

Dr Ian Morgan's Lab

Name	Role	Phone	Email
McCarthy, Siobhan	Postdoctoral Fellow	+61 2 6125 4747
Morgan, Ian	Senior Fellow	+61 2 6125 4671

Dr Jan Hemmi's Lab

Name	Role	Phone	Email
Ebeling, Wiebke	PhD Student	+61 2 6125 6799
Hemmi, Jan	Fellow	+61 2 6125 8561
Parker, Robert	Technical Officer	+61 2 6125 5091
Peters, Richard	Postdoctoral Fellow	+61 2 6125 4748
Smolka, Jochen	PhD Student	+61 2 6125 6799
Vlahos, Lisa	PhD Student	+61 2 6125 4486

Dr Jochen Zeil's Lab

Name	Role	Phone	Email
How, Martin	PhD Student	+61 2 6125 4486
Merkle, Tobias	Postdoctoral Fellow	+61 2 6125 4799
Narendra, Ajay	Postdoctoral Fellow	+61 2 6125 4799
Reid, Samuel	PhD Student	+61 (2) 6125 9701
Zeil, Jochen	Senior Fellow	+61 2 6125 5066

Dr Keely Bumsted-O'Brien's Lab

Name	Role	Phone	Email
Bumsted O'Brien, Keely	Fellow	+61 2 6125 2389
Lee, HieRin	PhD Student	+61 2 6125 1378

Dr Krisztina Valter's Lab

Name	Role	Phone	Email
Albarracin, Rizalyn	Honours Student	+61 4 2472 2449
Chrysostomou, Vicki	PhD Student	+61 2 6125 4489
Kirk, Diana	PhD Student	00000
Salmon, Tina	Technical Assistant	+61 2 6125 7544
Salmon, Tina	Technical Officer	+61 2 6125 7544
Valter-Kocsi, Krisztina	Research Fellow	+61 2 6125 1095
Zhu, Yuan	PhD Student	+61 2 6125 4489

Dr Lauren Marotte's Lab

Name	Role	Phone	Email
Carr, Owen	PhD Student	+61 2 6125 9069
Marotte, Lauren	Visiting Fellow	+61 2 6125 4751

Dr Michael Ibbotson's Lab

Name	Role	Phone	Email
Berry, Richard	Postdoctoral Fellow	+61 2 6125 5089
Cloherty, Shaun	Postdoctoral Fellow	+61 2 6125 2749
Hietanen, Markus	Postdoctoral Fellow	+61 2 6125 8562
Hung, Yu-Shan	PhD Student	+61 2 6125 5091
Ibbotson, Michael	Fellow (Group Leader)	+61 2 6125 4118
Van Kleef, Josh	PhD Student	+61 2 6125 5091

Dr Shao Wu Zhang's Lab

Name	Role	Phone	Email
Si, Aung	Research Assistant	+61 2 6125 2279
Wang, Shunpeng	Postdoctoral Fellow	+61 2 6125 1094
Zhang, Shao Wu	Senior Fellow	+61 2 6125 5094

Dr Ted Maddess' Lab

Name	Role	Phone	Email
Bell, Andrew	Visiting Fellow	+61 2 6125 5145
Carle, Corinne	PhD Student	+61 2 6125 7810
Ho, Yi Ling	School Visitor
Kolic, Maria	Masters Student	Masters
Maddess, Ted	Senior Fellow	+61 2 6125 4099
Sabeti, Faran	PhD Student	+61 2 6125 1378
Taylor, Ryan	PhD Student	+61 2 6125 9253
Voicu, Cristian	Postdoctoral Fellow	+61 2 6125 4099

Prof Jan Provis' Lab

Name	Role	Phone	Email
Kozulin, Peter	PhD Student	+61 2 6125 1378
Natoli, Riccardo	PhD Student	+61 2 6125 8559
Querubin, Angeliza	PhD Student	+61 2 6125 9165
Rutar, Matthew	PhD Student	+61 2 6125 9086

Prof Jonathan Stone's Lab

Name	Role	Phone	Email
Purushothuman, Siva	Honours Student	+61 2 6125 9609
Stone, Jonathan	Visiting Fellow	+61 2 6125 5878
Stowe, Sally	Visiting Fellow	+61 2 6125 0940

Prof Shin-Ho Chung's Lab

Name	Role	Phone	Email
Chung, Shin-Ho	Professor	+61 2 6125 2024
Gordon, Daniel	Postdoctoral Fellow	+61 2 6125 4743
Hilder, Tamsyn	Postdoctoral Fellow	+61 2 6215 4034
Ngo, Silvie	Research Assistant	+61 2 6125 2024

Support

Name	Role	Phone	Email
Snowball, Mark	Senior Technical Officer	+61 2 6125 4088
Stewart-Moore, Catherine	Group Administrator	+61 2 6125 4280

Visiting Fellows

Name	Role	Phone	Email
Blest, David	Visiting Fellow
Caetano, Tiberio	Visiting Fellow
Daniher, Daniel	Visiting Fellow
Horridge, Adrian	Emeritus Professor	+61 2 6125 4532
Petratchkov, Suzie	Visiting Fellow	+61 2 6125 7810
Pix, Waltraud	Technical Officer	+61 2 6125 2040
Stell, William	Visiting Fellow
Walcott, Ben	Visiting Fellow	+61 2 6125 2474
Zhu, Hong	Technical Officer	+61 2 6125 5145

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Student Opportunities

• Available Student Opportunities
• Graduate Projects
• Honours Projects
• Summer Research Scholarship Projects

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Links

Centre for Visual Sciences (CVS)
Australasian Ophthalmic and Visual Sciences Meeting (AOVSM)
Visual Ecology
A stereotaxic atlas of the wallaby brain

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