1. Gene transfer for corneal transplantation and limbal stem cell transplantation
The aim of this project is to explore the use of gene therapy to improve the outcome of corneal transplantation and limbal stem cell transplantation.
The premise underlying the work is that the transfer of genetic material encoding immunomodulatory molecules into donor tissue ex vivo, immediately prior to transplantation, might reduce the incidence of irreversible immunological rejection of the donor tissue, thereby prolonging survival of the graft.
Staff recently or currently working on aspects of the project include
Associate Professor Williams,
Professor Coster,
Dr Helen Brereton,
Mr Scott Standfield,
Mr Gary Heinemann,
Ms Kirsty Marshall,
Ms Claire Jessup (PhD student),
and Ms Louise Francis-Staite (Honours student).
2. Development of novel therapeutic agents for use in the eye
The aim of this project is to investigate the potential of engineered antibody fragments as novel therapeutic agents for ocular use.
The current aim is to establish proof-of-concept that antibody fragments – as distinct from whole antibodies - will exert useful therapeutic effects in animal models of human eye disease.
We will explore the use of antibody fragments for the treatment of inflammatory eye diseases, and for corneal and retinal neovascularization. The unique property of engineered antibody fragments as therapeutic drugs is that they can penetrate into the eye when administered topically, in the form of an eye-drop.
Staff recently or currently working on aspects of the project include
Associate Professor Williams,
Dr Helen Brereton,
Ms Alexandra Farrall,
Dr Peter van Wijngaarden (PhD student),
Ms Emma Cockerell (Honours student)
and Ms Marian Turner (Honours student).