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Dr Ashley Wood, Cardiff University - £99,858

Using new technology to learn about changes in vision and the eye that have been associated with early age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This research aims to find out why and how these changes occur, which could lead to new early AMD treatments.

Prof Jane Sowden, University College London - £100,000

Stem cell therapy is a promising new area of research for a treatment for macular disease. However, it is still relatively new and experimental. Stem cells may be able to grow and replace lost or damaged cells in the eye that are responsible for vision loss in macular conditions. This research is looking into how to create and transplant the light-sensing cells known as photoreceptors. Although, currently researchers are unable to create functional photoreceptors.

Dr Tamsin Callaghan, City, University of London - £77,731

Eye doctors are encouraged to mention the lifestyle changes that patients can make to slow the progression of dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This may not always be communicated, or followed. This project aims to improve this communication.

Dr Arjuna Ratnayaka, University of Southampton - £100,000

Large levels of waste build up is seen in cells of the retina in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This is because the cells are unable to break down and remove this toxic waste. This may be a factor in cell death in dry AMD. Dr Arjuna Ratnayaka at University of Southampton is looking to better understand this build up, and find treatments to increase its removal.

Prof Robert MacLaren, University of Oxford - £119,610 (co-funded with Retina UK)

New research into a gene editing therapy for those with Stargardt disease is being undertaken at Oxford University. In Stargardt disease, a mutation in the ABCA4 gene means that the ABCA4 protein produced from the gene is faulty and this leads to sight loss. The project aims to develop a gene therapy to ensure healthy ABCA4 protein is made and further damage is prevented.

Dr Keziah Latham, Anglia Ruskin University - £99,976

This work will compare different low vision aids (LVA) and their use, cost-effectiveness and impact on quality of life. The aim is to enable people to make better decisions on what device is right for them, particularly considering the cost of some of the devices such as wearable technologies.

Dr Linda Troeberg, University of East Anglia - £99,573

Correct protein delivery is necessary for all cells to function efficiently and stay healthy. If proteins aren’t delivered to the right place or in the right amounts, this can lead to cells not functioning properly. This work is focusing on a specific protein called TIMP-3, which is believed to be involved in AMD and Sorsby Fundus Dystrophy (SFD). By understanding how TIMP-3 is delivered around tissue when in healthy and mutated forms, we can better understand the mechanism of these two macular diseases.

Dr Forbes Manson, University of Manchester - £99,672

This project aims to test whether a new form of gene editing could help those with a macular dystrophy. Current gene editing approaches are looking at fixing or changing a gene mutation, which is very fiddly and will only help a small proportion of patients with that specific mutation.

Professor David Kavanagh, Newcastle University - £98,506

This project aims to analyse different mutations in the gene CFI, which has been shown to be highly involved in age-related macular disease (AMD). Some mutations have been strongly linked to an increased risk of developing AMD, but some mutations have no effect on your risk.

Dr Eleni Beli, Queen’s University Belfast - £25,000

Circadian rhythms affect many processes in the eye. This research investigates the link between day length and the development of diabetic retinopathy (DR) by exposing mice to day lengths made artificially either longer or shorter than 24 hours.