Close
From bench to bedside - our achievements
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