Our research spans neurodegeneration and ageing, visual and ocular development and stem cells, regeneration and repair, and visual function.
We aim to unravel the genetic, molecular, biochemical, microstructural, and cellular mechanisms underpinning neurodegeneration in the retina and optic nerve. We characterize the biological indicators (biomarkers) associated with these processes and apply this information towards regenerative and therapeutic strategies.
We are an interdisciplinary group, with research interests ranging from neurodegeneration, immunity, mitochondria, ocular therapeutics, exosomes, optic nerve structure and function/ imaging/ electrophysiology, animal studies, human studies, broadly focusing on the cell and molecular but include clinical techniques. Our techniques include basic science cell and molecular biology: cells/proteins/DNA-RNA/exosomes to tissues to eye in vitro and ex vivo, and to animal models and applications in the clinic in vivo.
Aims
To improve quality of life through the development of new technologies for early detection, improved monitoring and effective treatment of visual problems related to the nervous system.
We also aim to carry out societally impactful molecular neuroscience, ranging from genetics and genomics to connectomics, with a focus on the inner and neural retina and optic nerve, and we span imaging and psychophysics (interactions between systems/scales). For example, micro to macro, retina to brain. Two of our members are practicing clinical ophthalmologists, and one is an optometrist, and we are firmly grounded in translational research.
Our research is enhanced by our strong links with the Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC), and the School of Psychology
Research
Our research covers a number of themes, all fundamentally addressing neurodegeneration in the retina and optic nerve. The themes include glaucoma, mitochondrial dysfunction in the eye, retinal degeneration and regeneration.
Glaucoma
In the field of glaucoma and inherited optic neuropathy, our research investigates novel therapeutic agents, including adult stem cells, as well as their secreted constituents (e.g. exosomes). We test these novel neuro-protective therapeutic strategies in state-of-the-art in vitro and in vivo models, and human embryonic stem cell-derived retinal cultures.
We also combine psychophysical and neuroimaging techniques to investigate the effect of glaucomatous retinal degeneration on function at multiple neural hierarchies, from the retina to the striate and extra-striate visual centres in the brain, in order to better understand the impact of glaucoma on everyday scene perception.
Mitochondria and Vision
The Mitochondria and Vision research theme addresses the role of mitochondrial dysfunction due to mutation in an expanding number of genes, in the pathophysiology of retinal degeneration and inherited optic neuropathy. Our approach has placed an emphasis on generating model systems to study retinal ganglion cell (RGC) loss and inner retinal degeneration in order to further elucidate disease mechanisms and pathophysiology.
Primary mitochondrial optic neuropathies, such as Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) and autosomal dominant optic atrophy (ADOA)), are a significant cause of visual impairment (approx. 1 in 10,000 people) with no cure. Mitochondrial optic neuropathies share mitochondrial dysfunction in the optic nerve and selective damage and loss of retinal ganglion cells. There is a clinical unmet need for novel therapeutic interventions.
Projects
Our active projects led by our Principal Investigators (PI) in alphabetical order are:
Dr Julie Albon
| Project | Funder |
|---|---|
| A multidisciplinary approach to early detection and staging disease in glaucoma | Wellcome Trust |
| Challenging blindness in Sub-Saharan Africa: the Ghana Glaucoma Study pilot | Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) |
| Optic nerve microstructure: a significant indicator of disease severity | Health Studentship Award, Health and Care Research Wales/ Welsh Government. |
| Ostracod carapace as a novel transparent material | Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DTSL) |
Dr Ben Mead
| Project | Funder |
|---|---|
| Delivery of exosomes into models of eye disease | Fight for Sight |
| Therapeutic application of exosomes | Horizon2020 Marie Curie |
Professor James Morgan
| Project | Funder |
|---|---|
| The role of immune mechanisms in experimental glaucoma. | Fight for Sight Studentship |
| NAD therapy in glaucoma | Fight for Sight Studentship |
| The role of platelet derived BDNF in the management of experimental glaucoma | Fight for Sight Small Project Grant /Tweadie Bequest |
| Development of an audit tool for monitoring intraocular pressure changes in glaucoma following MIGS | Santen Inc (unrestricted) |
Dr Tony Redmond
| Project | Funder |
|---|---|
| Challenging blindness in Sub-Saharan Africa: the Ghana Glaucoma Study pilot | Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) |
| Crowding in glaucoma | College of Optometrists PhD studentship |
| Spatiotemporal summation in age-related macular disease | Macular Society PhD studentship |
| Changes in the visual cortex in glaucoma and their role in visual recovery: an fMRI study | Fight for Sight PhD studentship |
Dr Malgorzata Rozanowska
| Project | Funder |
|---|---|
| Pre-clinical testing of near-infrared light therapy in a mouse model of autosomal dominant optic atrophy (ADOA) | Wellcome Trust |
| Sustained release formulations for new drugs in the treatment of mitochondrial optic neuropathies | National Eye Research Centre |
| Near-infrared light therapy as a therapeutic regimen for inherited optic neuropathy | Academy of Medical Sciences Newton International Fellowship |
Professor Marcela Votruba
| Project | Funder |
|---|---|
| Sustained release formulations for new drugs in the treatment of mitochondrial optic neuropathies | National Eye Research Centre Project Grant |
| Light for Sight – neuroprotection in mitochondrial optic neuropathy | Wellcome Trust ISSF3 Cross Disciplinary Award |
| Small molecule therapies | Wellcome Trust ISSF3 Consolidator Award |
| Near-infrared light therapy as a therapeutic regimen for inherited optic neuropathy | Academy of Medical Sciences Newton International Fellowship |
Meet the team
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Our research delivers advances in knowledge to facilitate detection, diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of vision disorders to improve quality of life.
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