In 2024 Diabetes Research Western Australia awarded a grant to the project Harmonisation of Western Australia multi-site optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) datasets for new biomarker discovery and application in diabetic retinopathy.  The project aims to introduce and validate a data analysis framework so datasets from multiple clinics in Western Australia can be combined and analysed to identify more sensitive biomarkers of diabetic retinopathy.

The project is led by Dr Danuta (Danka) Sampson from Lions Eye Institute and the University of Western Australia and supported by co-investigators A/Prof. Fred Chen (Lions Eye Institute), A/Prof. Angus Turner (Lions Outback Vision), Dr Jeremiah Lim (University of Western Australia) and Dr Mark Chia (University College London).

Update provided by the research team:

We are halfway through our research project, the Harmonisation of Western Australian, multi-site optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) datasets for new biomarker discovery and application in diabetic retinopathy, funded by DRWA. The project aims to validate a data analysis framework to harmonise OCTA datasets collected at Western Australian clinics. The harmonised datasets will generate preliminary data on OCTA-derived microvascular biomarkers in diabetic retinopathy in Western Australians.

We have made good progress in establishing the necessary groundwork to achieve our research goals. We have reviewed over 1,000 retinal images captured using OCTA in Lions Eye Institute (Perth) and Lions Outback Vision (Broome). From this, we’ve established a dataset of 400 high-quality OCTA images of Western Australians with and without diabetic retinopathy that will be used to test and refine harmonisation models.  Additionally, we have recruited 70 healthy volunteers and imaged them using three different OCTA instruments. These images will help validate the harmonisation models we are working on.

The next steps will be the implementing and refining of computer models that harmonise data between instruments and generate pilot data on OCTA-based biomarkers (medical signs) of diabetic retinopathy. We also look forward to continuing to work with our CCI group towards the completion of the current project and designing follow-up research.

Diabetes Research WA is pleased to announce the winner of our 2025 grant as Dr Kimberley Wang from the University of Western Australia. Her project, entitled “Impact of intrauterine growth restriction on skeletal muscle glucose metabolism – link to increase risk of diabetes?” aims to determine the effects of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) on fibre type, abundance of myogenesis, glucose and insulin signalling molecules and glycogen storage in the skeletal muscle, and whether it occurs in a sex-dependent manner.

The work could lead to more effective therapies for the prevention and treatment of diabetes and other metabolic diseases.

The Research Team

The project is led by Dr Kimberley Wang from The University of Western Australia and supported by co-investigators Dr Erin Lloyd (The University of Western Australia), Professor Robyn Murphy (La Trobe University).

 

Developmental origins of metabolic diseases

Epidemiological and experimental studies have demonstrated that IUGR and low birth weight increase the risk for metabolic disease in later life, including insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. In 2021, 6.6% of babies were classified as low birth weight in Western Australia. A meta-analysis reported that low birth weight individuals experienced a 45% higher risk of type 2 diabetes compared with healthy birth weight individuals, with females having a greater risk than males. The underlying mechanism(s) however remains unknown.

Unique mouse model to investigate the association between IUGR and type 2 diabetes

Dr Wang has established a mid-gestation maternal hypoxia-induced IUGR mouse model whereby the hypoxic exposure for this mouse model was limited to the period of myogenesis, which is the formation of skeletal muscular tissue process. This specific exposure period allows us to assess what will happen to the metabolic health when skeletal muscle development is disrupted.

Our overarching hypothesis is that adaptations that occur within skeletal muscle in response to IUGR include changes to fibre type, protein abundance involved in myogenesis, glucose and insulin metabolism, and glycogen storage in adulthood, and these changes will subsequently increase the risk of metabolic disease. Outcomes will contribute to discovery knowledge by revealing potential mechanistic explanations for the development of metabolic syndrome in IUGR individuals.