Visualising Retinal Microglia as a Window into Brain Inflammation

该项目旨在使用免疫细胞（小胶质细胞）在视网膜中成像的独特自体荧光特征作为大脑炎症的指标。该项目希望提供基础知识，使我们能够非侵入性地对小胶质细胞进行成像，并在不需要进入大脑的情况下识别大脑炎症的存在。预期的结果包括视网膜中小胶质细胞自发荧光的完整特征以及它与脑炎症的关系。这将为炎症性脑疾病的检测提供显著的下游益处，在明显的症状发展之前，对牲畜、宠物、动物园和保护动物以及研究知识具有实质性益处。

This project aims to use the unique autofluorescence signature of immune cells, microglia, imaged in the retina, as an index of brain inflammation. This project expects to provide the fundamental knowledge to allow us to image microglia non-invasively and identify the presence of brain inflammation without needing to access the brain-proper. Expected outcomes include full characterisation of microglial autofluorescence in the retina and how it relates to brain inflammation. This should provide significant downstream benefits for the detection of inflammatory brain disease well before visible symptoms develop with substantial benefit for livestock, pets, zoo and conservation animals, as well as research knowledge.