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Research

Subretinal PVR membrane (white strands) seen beneath the neural retina

Retinal Pathologies and Treatments

A multidiscipline approach to understand the cellular mechanisms of retinal wound healing which occurs due to a variety of blinding retinal disorders (e.g. Age-related Macular Degeneration, Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy). A number of projects from bench to beside are continually evolving to enhance our knowledge to combat these blinding conditions.

Progenitors of Endothelial or Trabeculum (PET) cells. Adapted from Hogan, Alvarado & Weddell, 1971

Cornea and Trabecular Meshwork

Both the corneal endothelium (CE) and trabecular meshwork (TM) cells are special cell types in the eye that do not self-replace when lost in ageing or diseases, such as Fuch’s endothelial dystrophy and primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) (Yu et al., 2015). Understanding the disease mechanisms involved in both cell loss and potential cell replacement approaches are key areas of study within our group.

Research grants

201381564 BILIR

TURKISH EMBASSY (LONDON)

October 2018 - September 2021

Optimisation of PET cell infiltration of trabecular meshwork

INTERNATIONAL GLAUCOMA ASSOCIATION (UK)

July 2016 - February 2019

Investigating the role of microRNAs in glaucoma pathogenesis.

FIGHT FOR SIGHT (UK)

December 2014 - August 2016

Histopathological evaluation of a new therapy for Diabetic retinopathy

DIABETES UK (UK)

August 2007 - January 2008

Research Eye Bank Project

FOUNDATION FOR THE PREVENTION OF BLINDNESS (UK)

September 2012 - July 2017

Research Fellow.

FOUNDATION FOR THE PREVENTION OF BLINDNESS (UK)

October 1998 - September 2002

Development of a New Strategy to Treat Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

FOUNDATION FOR THE PREVENTION OF BLINDNESS (UK)

September 2008 - August 2009

Identification and propagation of stem cell-rich sites of the conjuctiva.

THE GUIDE DOGS FOR THE BLIND ASSOCIATION (UK)

August 2007 - August 2012

ICE of human ocular surface (corneal and conjunctival) stem cells

ROYAL LIVERPOOL AND BROADGREEN UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS NHS TRUST CHARITABLE FUNDS (UK)

October 2014 - September 2015

Dunhill Research Fellowship: Cell transplantation and the treatment of age-related macular degeneration.

FOUNDATION FOR THE PREVENTION OF BLINDNESS (UK)

August 2001 - January 2005

Micro-Plasma Technology for Controlling Cellular Interactions on Medical Implants

ENGINEERING & PHYSICAL SCIENCES RESEARCH COUNCIL

September 2009 - May 2013

Stem cells for the trabecular meshwork

INTERNATIONAL GLAUCOMA ASSOCIATION (UK)

April 2012 - December 2018

"Smart" targeting of anti-scarring agents in an in vitro model of retinal wound healing.

BRITISH COUNCIL FOR PREV OF BLINDNESS (UK)

December 2003 - November 2009

Endothelial cell and retinal pigment epithelial cell (RPE) interaction in choroidal neovascularization (CNV): action and reaction.

BRITISH COUNCIL FOR PREV OF BLINDNESS (UK)

June 2001 - September 2003

Foundation Research Assistant

FOUNDATION FOR THE PREVENTION OF BLINDNESS (UK)

January 2007 - January 2009

Iris Pigment Epithelial Cell Transplantation and Age Related Macular Degeneration.

FIGHT FOR SIGHT (UK)

October 2002 - September 2005

IPE cell transplantation

THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG (CHINA)🚩

June 2009 - May 2011

Investigation of a new cell treatment for Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

HELP THE AGED

October 2005 - December 2007

Surgical instruments and procedure for cell transplantation in AMD

MACULAR DISEASE SOCIETY (UK)

December 2011 - May 2013

Progenitor cell treatments in Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD).

DUNHILL MEDICAL TRUST (UK)

January 2006 - December 2009

Transplantation of IPE beneath the neuroretina in ARMD.

ROYAL LIVERPOOL AND BROADGREEN UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS NHS TRUST (UK)

September 2003 - August 2006

    Research collaborations

    Dr Wico Lai

    The University of Hong Kong

    Established joint research project

    Dr Barry Campbell

    Collaborative grant obtained examining stem cell niches in the conjunctiva

    Mr Heinmann

    Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospital NHS Trust

    Vitroretinal research projects

    Professor David Wong

    The University of Hong Kong

    Established and funded collaboration examining retinal diseases

    Dr Amy Lo

    The University of Hong Kong

    Lectin conjugation with antimetabolites

    Dr Marta Garcia Finana

    Statistical collaboration

    Dr T Stappler

    Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospital NHS Trust

    avastin research, vitreoretinal-surgery-research interaction

    Mr Kaye

    Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospital NHS Trust

    Corneal disease projects

    Professor Colm O'Brien

    University College Dublin, Ireland

    Iris pigment epithelial cells in anterior chamber disease

    Professor Paul Bishop

    University of Manchester, UK

    Opticin expression in retinopathy

    Professor Maria Grant

    University of Gainesville, USA

    Investigating wound healing and neovascularisation in a number of retinopathies.

    Dr Ma Long

    Collaborative research project

    Mr Pearce

    Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospital NHS Trust

    Organise mersey Ophthalmology teaching sessions

    Richard Cosstick

    Cell specific drug targetting of dedifferentaied retinal pigment epithelial cells

    Rachel Williams

    Study of artificial substrates for RPE transplantation