Through the research we fund and the collaborations we build, we are accelerating new treatments for retinal degeneration — a group of conditions affecting millions across the UK.
These include age-related macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa and diabetic retinopathy — diseases that can progressively steal sight.
For many people, especially in the later stages, treatment options remain limited.
That is why we created the UK Vision Research Network (UKVRN): to bring brilliant minds together and fast-track the development of better treatments.
What is the UK Vision Research Network?
The aim of the UKVRN is to bring together leading scientists across institutions and from different fields of research to accelerate treatments for vision loss.
We’re beginning with a doctoral training programme. It will fund PhDs that give students the opportunity to learn from two co-supervisors while advancing our understanding of vision loss.
One of the first collaborations brings together Dr Jasmina Kapetanovic (University of Oxford) and Dr Matteo Rizzi (UCL). The student will explore ‘optogenetics’, one of the most exciting frontiers in vision research.
Read more about Dr Kapetanovic's work in optogenetics
What is optogenetics, and why does it hold promise?
Optogenetics provides a way of restoring sight even after light-sensing cells or ‘photoreceptors’ in the eyes are lost.
Optogenetics works by turning surviving cells in the retina — such as retinal ganglion cells — into new light-sensing cells. This means it could help restore some vision, even after the original light-detecting cells (called photoreceptors) have been lost.
Dr Kapetanovic is a clinician-scientist with expertise in pioneering therapeutic technologies of optogenetics and robotics for vision restoration, while Dr Rizzi brings experience in neuroscience and in applying functional tests to assess this technology.
The focus is on measuring how changes in vision impact people’s ability to live their lives rather than relying on just visual acuity tests.
Go behind the scenes at the lab with Matteo in the video, below
Reasons to be optimistic
Are they optimistic?
Absolutely.
“Very optimistic,” says Jasmina.
Matteo agrees: “If you look back ten years, so much has already been achieved. And progress is unlikely to be linear; it’s likely to grow exponentially. The next ten years could be even better.”
He adds, “I’m excited by this project because it’s a realistic and medically viable approach. We’re combining something at the forefront of science with something that has a genuine chance of reaching patients.”
Creating the next generation of researchers
In addition to what we’ll learn through the programme, the hope is that the doctoral programme will create tomorrow’s leading researchers.
As Matteo says, “I'm very curious to see how this generation of young scientists will develop. I think there is a lot of promise for this to be a better way of doing a PhD. Three or four years from now, hopefully we'll start seeing the benefits of these multicultural PhDs.”
This is informed optimism.
Bold science.
Multidisciplinary collaboration.
A new generation of researchers.
Together, we are accelerating the future of treatments for retinal degeneration.
Meet the researchers collaborating to advance our understanding of diabetic retinopathy
