27 November, 2023
I am Associate Professor Riccardo Natoli, the current Head of Clear Vision Research at the John Curtin School of Medical Research and the Associate Director of Research Development at the School of Medicine and Psychology, at the Australian National University, Canberra.
Support received from Retina Australia
I have been supported by Retina Australia for many years in a number of different ways:
- As a member of Retina Australia ACT where we were able to interact with visually impaired members of the ACT, and were supported through fundraising endeavours.
- Direct support of my research projects including:
- 2018 – Retina Australia, $39,591 for the project “Microglia and retinal degenerations: Identifying key modulators of inflammation as therapeutic targets“
Retina Australia has also supported the work of my postdocs and collaborators:
- 2023 – Retina Australia grant of $59,869 for the project “Using RNA-silencing to tackle neuroinflammation in retinal degenerations“
- 2016 – Retina Australia grant of $39,901 for the project “The role of complement activation in retinal degeneration”
Microglia and retinal degenerations: Identifying key modulators of inflammation as therapeutic targets
In this 2018 project funded by Retina Australia, the purpose was to explore if RNA, specifically microRNA (miRNA) could be used as a therapeutic for the treatment of retinal degenerations.
The preliminary data generated as part of this work which was completed in 2018, contributed either directly to, or laid the foundation for numerous publications and future funding as listed below:
Publications
- R. Aggio-Bruce, J.A. Chu-Tan, Y. Wooff, A.V. Cioanca, U. Schumann, R. Natoli Inhibition of microRNA-155 Protects Retinal Function Through Attenuation of Inflammation in Retinal Degeneration Molecular Neurobiology, 2021
- N. Fernando, J.H.C. Wong, S. Das, C. Dietrich, R. Aggio-Bruce, A.V. Cioanca, Y. Wooff, J.A. Chu-Tan, U. Schumann, C. Ngo, R.W. Essex, C. Dorian, S.A. Robertson, S.M. Man, J. Provis, and R. Natoli, MicroRNA-223 Regulates Retinal Function and Inflammation in the Healthy and Degenerating Retina. Frontiers in Cell and Development Biology, 2020. DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00516.
- J.A. Chu-Tan and R. Natoli, The potential for microRNA-based therapeutics in retinal disorders. Annals of Translational Medicine, 2020. 8.
- J.A. Chu-Tan, N. Fernando, R. Aggio-Bruce, A.V. Cioanca, K. Valter, N. Andronikou, X.d. du Jeu, M. Rutar, J. Provis, and R. Natoli, A method for gene knockdown in the retina using a lipid-based carrier. Molecular Vision, 2020. 26, 48.
- Chu-Tan, J.A., Rutar, M., Saxena, K., Aggio-Bruce, R., Essex, R.W., Valter, K., Jiao, H., Fernando, N., Wooff, Y., Madigan, M.C., Provis, J., Natoli, R. MicroRNA-124 dysregulation is associated with retinal inflammation and photoreceptor death in the degenerating retina. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci., 2018. 59(10) p. 4094-4105.
Further funding leverage
As a result of this project, I was successfully awarded an $780,000 grant from an Australian National University (ANU) Translational Fellowship to explore “Novel neuroinflammatory targets for the treatment of AMD”(2019-2021) and an NHMRC Ideas Grant (CIA): $1,189,692 for the project “Investigating microRNAs as key regulators in a novel communication pathway driving retinal degeneration” CIA Natoli.
Retina Australia’s Impact
Retina Australia is pivotal for funding retinal research in Australia especially for early and Mid-Career Researchers who for many this will be the first source of research funding.
Without the support of Retina Australia our work exploring miRNA in retinal degenerations, would not have led us to extracellular vesicles and the program of research we now have to developing therapeutics for the treatment of retinal degenerations.
For me personally as a new group leader in 2017, receiving this funding and support was more than just the money, but it was a validation that my ideas and research had validity and meaning. This support coming directly from individuals living with retinal degenerations was one of the most impactful I have received from any organisation. It extended beyond just the financial, providing a pathway to interact with individuals living with retinal degenerations to both myself and my team and understanding how our research would impact everyday life.
I will be forever grateful for the support shown to my research and my team in the years since receiving this funding.
https://retinaaustralia.com.au/researcher-riccardo-natoli/
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