Highlights from our public lectures
Professor Krzysztof (Kris) Palczewski from University of California, Irvine, delivered our 2023 annual lecture
Lister Fellowship Lecture with Professor Anthony Khawaja, April 2023
Discover our research themes
Fundamental science
Cell biology
- Key discoveries about the control of how cells join together
- Elucidation of mechanisms of how white blood cells get into the eye and the brain (critical to understanding inflammation)
- Studies of how molecules and organelles move within cells
Developmental biology
- Critical investigations of development of retinal circulation including parallels with neuronal development
- Studies of the development of nerve fibres from retina to brain
Genetics
- Unparalleled success in gene discovery for inherited eye diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa, macular dystrophies and cataract
- Mechanisms of mutant gene action in inherited eye disease
- Genetic basis of colour vision
Vision
- Landmark investigations of the evolutionary significance of how different wavelengths of light are detected
- Central discoveries demonstrating the importance of feedback in vision
- Novel ideas as to how evolutionary principles can be brought to our understanding of vision
Clinical Science
Abnormalities of visual perception in CNS disorders
- Demonstration that visual perception is altered in schizophrenia and autism
Diagnostic imaging
- Pioneering of autofluorescence imaging of the retina, now used in clinical trials
- First visualisation of cell death in the living retina
Epidemiology
- Numerous international studies of eye disease and its treatment
- Involvement in ocular component of large UK surveys of ageing
Glaucoma
- Series of landmark innovations in controlling scarring after glaucoma surgery
- Optimising of surgical technique for glaucoma surgery
- Novel tools for assessing progression of disease
Intraocular inflammation
- Proof of principle use of gene therapy to suppress inflammation
- Demonstration of efficacy of statins in reducing ocular inflammation
Ocular surface disease
- Accredited stem cell transplantation laboratory
- Demonstration of the role of T cells in allergic eye disease
Retinal degeneration including retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration
- Proof of principle of restoration of photoreceptor structure and function with gene therapy
- Proof of principle of use of immortalised human RPE cells for retinal degeneration
- Elucidation of mechanisms of protein aggregation in retinitis pigmentosa
Retinal detachment
- First successful treatment for post-detachment retinal scarring
- First experimental model of post-detachment retinal scarring
Visual Rehabilitation
- Major longitudinal study of the natural adaptation to loss of central vision in age-related macular degeneration
- Comparative assessment of high-tech electronic low vision devices
Funding
Find out about funding available to students including loans, scholarships and bursaries for specific subject areas.
A chat with some of our institute's entrepreneurs
A chat with Pete Coffey, Professor of Visual Psychophysics
A chat with Stephen Moss, Ashton Professor of Biomedical Research
