Science and Research
Neuroprotection and repair research
We investigate why retinal ganglion cells and the optic nerve degenerate in glaucoma and related conditions, and how this damage can be prevented or reversed. Our research aims to develop new treatments that protect vision and restore nerve function.
Overview
The Neuroprotection and Repair Unit studies the mechanisms that make retinal ganglion cells and their axons vulnerable in glaucoma and other optic nerve diseases. Our overarching goal is developing therapies that protect these neurons and repair the visual system.
We use the eye and optic nerve as an accessible model of the central nervous system to study early neurodegeneration, identify therapeutic targets and translate discoveries from laboratory systems into biomarkers, clinical trials and therapeutic development.
A major focus of the program is understanding how problems with cellular energy mitochondria contribute to nerve cell damage. This includes research into nicotinamide (vitamin B3) and related cellular energy pathways, as well as how inflammation and blood flow affect nerve cell health and can be targeted to protect and repair the retina and optic nerve.
The unit also studies how nerve cells respond to stress and damage, focusing on cellular energy, inflammation, blood supply and the repair of damaged nerve fibres in the retina and optic nerve.
Why this research is important
Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness, and current treatments are largely focused on lowering intraocular pressure rather than directly protecting or repairing nerve cells. This creates a major unmet need for treatments that preserve retinal ganglion cells, maintain optic nerve function and restore visual pathways – even when disease progresses despite pressure control.
This research is also important beyond ophthalmology. The retina and optic nerve provide a clinically accessible model for studying neurodegeneration in the central nervous system. Insights from this work may be relevant not only for glaucoma, but also for age-related and neurodegenerative conditions – such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and motor neurone disease (ALS) – where shared processes like energy failure and nerve degeneration play a role.
The Neuroprotection and Repair Unit is developing new drug and gene-based treatments that aim to protect nerve cells and support repair of the optic nerve. This work focuses on improving cellular energy supply, supporting nerve cell health and reducing degeneration – with the goal of progressing the most promising approaches into biomarker informed early stage clinical studies.
Key research questions
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- How do problems with mitochondrial function and cellular energy contribute to damage of retinal ganglion cell and the optic nerve in glaucoma?
- Which cellular energy pathways can be targeted to strengthen nerve cell resilience and survival?
- How can nerve fibre damage in the optic nerve be slowed, prevented or repaired?
- Which biomarkers and clinical trial approaches will best support the testing and use of new neuroprotective therapies in patients?