Glaucoma and Retinal Neurodegenerative Disease Research Group

The process of neurodegeneration is implicated in several degenerative diseases of the retina. These include glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration and some inherited retinal disorders.

The group’s work is focused on mechanisms of neurodegeneration and subsequent loss of vision, particularly the early diagnosis and management of age-related neurodegenerative processes.

Aims

Identify early markers of cell processes in neurodegenerative disease in the eye - including Glaucoma, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s Diseases
Establish new methods of early diagnosis and treatment of these diseases - using the eye as a window on to the brain
Develop non-invasive screening and monitoring of neurodegeneration
Investigate Neuroprotection and rescue modalities
Assess novel delivery methods of diagnostic and therapeutic agents - in the eye and in the brain

These are to be achieved using novel non-invasive techniques to assess structural and functional changes in different models of disease and their treatment, with a view to offering quick and effective translation to the clinical arena.

Current work

People

Professor M Francesca Cordeiro - Head of GroupUCL Professor of Retinal Neurodegeneration & Glaucoma Studies & Honorary Consultant Western Eye Hospital, London.
Dr Li Guo
Mr Vy Luong
Dr Tim Yap
Dr Shiama Balendra
Dr Sotaro Mori
Miss Soyoung Choi
Mr Daniel Hill

Alumni

Ms Cinzia Mazzei - Former Research Fellow
Mr Nicholas Wood - Former Research Assistant/Technician
Ms Sarah Borrie - Former Research Assistant/Technician
Dr Annelie Maass - Former PhD Student
Dr Guilio Ferrari - Clinical Research Fellow
Dr Steffen Schmitz Valckenberg - Clinical Research Fellow
Mr Jonathan Brenton - Former MSc student
Dr Milena Pahlitzsch - Clinical Research Fellow
Dr Fatimah Javaid - Clinical Research Fellow
Dr Parth Shah -Former MSc Student
Ms Shereen Nizari
Dr Lisa Turner
Dr Mark Tilley
Dr Valeria Bono
Dr Giulia Malaguarnera
Dr Gaia Pollorsi
Dr Mohammad Dehabadi

Collaborators

Satyanarayana Somavarapu
Stephen Moss
Fred Fitzke
Steve Dakin
Matteo Carandini
Frances Edwardes
Michel Duchen
Dr John Maddison
Prof Richard Nicholas
Dr Eduardo Normando
Dr Mariya Hristova
Dr Jennifer Sun