BHVI

Mucins are part of the tear-film, and play various important roles, such as maintaining viscosity and lubrication to retard fluid evaporation and anchoring the aqueous tear-film to the underlying cornea and conjunctival surface.

In addition, mucins in tear fluid also show protection against pathogens by interaction with various microbes due to the densely glycosylated surface of the mucins.

Based on initial findings by a PhD student, the Institute has identified that there were perhaps other mucin-like components of the tear film. This project will investigate the biochemical nature of these components and attempt to identify their role in tear film physiology.

Investigators

Project Leader
Dr Zhenjun Zhao

Collaborators

Prof John Whitlock and Dr Megan Lord, Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, University of New South Wales

Prof Nicki Packer, Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, Macquarie University, Australia.

Facilities

This project make use of the biochemical and histological facilities available at the Institute as well as biochemical and chemical facilities at the University of New South Wales.