Dr. Mariya Moosajee, consultant ophthalmologist at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and senior clinical lecturer at the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, was recently awarded £1.1 million to identify the genetic causes and develop targeted gene therapies to prevent ocular maldevelopment.
Moosajee's research will reportedly involve growing 3D model of the human eye stem cells derived from patient's skin. The models will be used to investigate genes that cause ocular maldevelopment, with gene editing technology used to correct the defective gene to see if cells can grow into normal healthy eyes, potentially paving the way for targeted drug and gene therapies that might one day be used as a prenatal therapy.
The funding will reportedly allow for full genome screening of patients with birth eye defects to identify the genetic cause of their condition. This would reportedly help to provide accurate genetic diagnosis in the future, with informed genetic counselling and improved care pathways for patients and their families.
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Source: Moorfields Eye Hospital