What initially got you interested in molecular biology?
My initial interest in molecular biology stems from a deep curiosity about how we function at the molecular and cellular level, which underpins all processes at the systems and organismal level. Despite significant advances, many of the fundamental mechanisms that drive our higher-order functions remain poorly understood. This gap in knowledge continues to motivate me to explore the intricate biology that governs complex life, with the ultimate goal of understanding how we can address pathological states when these mechanisms go awry.
Can you briefly tell us what research projects you are working on at the moment?
My research focuses on the most accessible part of the CNS - the neurosensory retina. I am interested in the molecular neurobiology of inherited retinal dystrophies (IRDs) and neurodegenerative diseases, translating fundamental molecular and biochemical insights into therapeutic interventions.
My work on Leber’s congenital amaurosis type 4 (LCA4), one of the most severe and early onset forms of inherited retinal degeneration, significantly impacted therapeutic strategies for patients, aiding in the triage of patients for gene therapy and recently culminating in a first-in-human interventional study for LCA4.
My research additionally extends to other inherited retinal dystrophies, including non-syndromic and syndromic early onset inherited retinal diseases and juvenile macular dystrophies. My lab’s innovative work includes the development of advanced pre-clinical models including patient-derived or CRISPR/Cas9 engineered retinal organoids and retinal pigment epithelium. The lab employs these models for the development, optimisation and validation of targeted interventional therapies, including nonsense suppression and gene replacement therapies, nucleic acid therapies and precise gene editing technologies (base and prime editing, CRISPRa and CRISPRi strategies) for IRDs.
What do you think is particularly exciting about brain sciences right now?
One of the most exciting developments in brain sciences today is the application of artificial intelligence to big data, which has the potential to revolutionise research and clinical practice. A compelling example is the collaboration between Google DeepMind and Moorfields Eye Hospital, where deep learning has been successfully applied to optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans to support rapid diagnosis and patient prioritisation. This kind of innovation not only demonstrates the power of AI in healthcare but also paves the way for similar transformative approaches in brain research.
As co-Director of the MRes Brain Sciences course, what do you think makes this course really unique?
What makes the MRes in Brain Sciences truly unique is the opportunity for students to undertake an extended, independent, hypothesis-driven research project within a world-leading laboratory in the UCL Faculty of Brain Sciences. Students are fully embedded in their host research groups, allowing them to contribute meaningfully to cutting-edge scientific work while gaining hands-on experience in a professional research environment. This immersive experience is complemented by the chance to engage with the wider academic and intellectual life of the Faculty, offering a rich and supportive setting for aspiring neuroscientists.
What do alumni of this course go on to do?
Graduates of the MRes in Brain Sciences go on to pursue a wide range of successful careers. Many are accepted into prestigious PhD programmes both in the UK and internationally. A significant number contribute to scientific publications through their MRes research projects, with work appearing in respected journals such as Stem Cells & Development, EMBO Journal, Human Molecular Genetics, Psychological Medicine, Journal of Neuroscience, Brain Research, and Current Opinion in Physiology. This highlights the diverse and high-quality research opportunities offered by the programme. Alumni also go on to roles as research assistants, positions in industry, or policy-influencing organisations such as NHS England. Others choose to study medicine or have even founded their own start-ups.