Trustees visit UCL Institute of Ophthalmology to see charity-funded research in action 

Dr Colin Chu – Wellcome Trust clinical research career development fellow at the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology – showed the trustees an advanced microscope used for 3D multiplexed tissue analysis that was funded by the charity.

This cutting-edge technology allows multiple biomarkers to be visualised simultaneously within a single tissue sample.

Professor Marinko Sarunic – Moorfields Eye Charity chair of advanced ocular imaging at the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology – demonstrated how high-resolution retinal imaging equipment is being used to capture the living eye at a microscopic, cellular level.

After touring the labs, Professor Andrew Dick – director of the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology – facilitated a session for the trustees to hear from the institute’s pillar and expertise domain leads on current research priorities for eye health. Professor Dick has previously said of the pillars and domains:

Pillars

• Visual neuroscience (Professor Tessa Dekker and Dr Matteo Rizzi)
• Disease mechanisms (Professor Mike Cheetham)
• Ocular development and ageing (Dr Ryan MacDonald)
• Genomic and translational medicine (Dr Amanda Carr)

Expertise domains

• Data and AI (Dr Nikolas Pontikos)
• Disease models and therapeutics (Professor Jacqui van der Spuy)
• Imaging and functional assessment (Dr Colin Chu)
• Molecules, cells and multi-omics (Professor Alice Davidson)

Many of these researchers have received grants from Moorfields Eye Charity to support their vital work.

Thank you to all the institute staff and researchers who shared their time and insights during the tour. The charity is delighted to be able to support these critical areas of eye health research, thanks to the generous donations of our supporters.