Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA)

Today is rare disease day. While eye conditions such as retinitis pigmentosa, choroideremia, Usher syndrome and Stargardt’s disease might be individually rare, as a group, inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) are the leading cause of vision loss in working-age Australians. From gene and cell therapies to the bionic eye, our researchers are exploring innovative ways to advance our knowledge of the many genetic 'mistakes' that cause different IRDs and develop potential treatments to protect sight. And through the VENTURE Study, a collaboration with the University of Melbourne, we’re working to identify people who may benefit most from emerging treatments. #RareDiseaseDay #InheritedRetinalDisease #GeneTherapy #ClinicalTrials

? Four promising CERA and Cerulea Clinical Trials projects have received generous support from Australian Vision Research in their 2025 grants. ? ?? Dr Anna Yao Mei Wang, PhD will zoom in on the eye to investigate the role certain cell types play in regulating blood flow in age-related macular degeneration. ?? Dr Flora Hui aims to help clinicians identify people most at risk of losing vision from glaucoma – using advanced imaging techniques to look at early changes to blood flow in the eye. ?? Lisa Lombardi will test a new software tool designed to help determine the real-world benefits of emerging treatments for eye disease – with the aim of eventually using it in clinical trials. ?? Dr Sloan Jianghui WANG aims to develop an improved method for delivering gene therapies for inherited retinal disease. We're excited to see where this work goes and appreciate the support in helping to advance our vision research! Pictured (clockwise from top left): Dr Anna Wang, Dr Flora Hui, Dr Sloan Wang and Lisa Lombardi.

Two CERA projects have received funding in the 2025 round of National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Investigator Grants announced today. Professor Robyn Guymer AM will investigate new ways identify age-related macular degeneration earlier, as well two new treatments to prevent vision loss from the disease. Together, her project is aiming to start treatments before people lose vision from AMD, as well as accelerate how new studies for the disease are run. Associate Professor Lisa Zhuoting Zhu is using an artificial intelligence model based on eye images to assess a person’s risk of heart disease and stroke. By spotting the signs of heart disease earlier, she is aiming to provide personalised treatment to people at risk from these life-threatening conditions. Congratulations to both Professor Guymer and Associate Professor Zhu and we're looking forward to seeing the impact of your research.

CERA’s Ophthalmic Epidemiology researchers are leveraging AI and retinal imaging to detect diabetic retinopathy and other sight-threatening conditions. In this insightful piece from Devex, Lead Researcher Associate Professor Lisa Zhuoting Zhu and other experts discuss how AI could be key to saving health systems money. (Note: You'll need to register to access this free content)

Professor Lauren Ayton AM recently sat down for a chat on the Blind Citizens Australia New Horizons podcast about her work to help save sight. In a career-spanning discussion, Professor Ayton talks about collaborating on the Bionic Eye project to co-leading CERA's Retinal Gene Therapy team, who are working to find new ways of treating inherited retinal diseases. ?? Listen to the podcast: https://ow.ly/MBGS50V2vhi

???????? For over 30 years, the Lions Ride for Sight cycling charity event has been raising vital funds for our vision research – more than $1 million at last count! We're deeply grateful to the Lions Districts 2013V3 and all of the riders and support crew for their ongoing commitment to helping our sight-saving mission. ???????? Now, they're busy gearing up for their 31st ride across Gippsland from May 2-5, starting and ending in Traralgon. With registrations closing February 28, find out what it’s all about – and the different ways you can take part or support this fantastic event: https://ow.ly/Op1750V1GL3

?? This week, we're celebrating International Day of Women and Girls in Science by highlighting emerging leaders – such as Elise Cichello – Clinical Research Coordinator, optometrist and Community Climate Action Group advocate. ?? WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT YOUR WORK? I work with study participants in clinical trials for inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) – checking people’s vision and performing imaging, and conducting and coordinating different research projects. I really enjoy getting to know participants and hope to help them along their vision journey – connecting them to different trials and potential treatment opportunities. It’s very exciting, as there are many gene therapies on the horizon for conditions there have been no treatment for. I feel very honoured to work in such a hopeful time, and participant collaboration is very rewarding. WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO GET INTO VISION RESEARCH? I’m fortunate to have been surrounded by inspiring women in optometry. In the clinic, I found it difficult to explain to patients that some eye conditions have no treatment, and I wanted to learn and do more. After seeing a lecture by Senior Research Fellow Dr Carla Abbott and Head of Clinical Biomarkers Research Associate Professor Zhichao Wu, I decided to change directions – pivoting from optometry practice into research. I was lucky enough to land in the Retinal Gene Therapy Unit, co-lead by Professor Lauren Ayton AM. Her drive and range of research, from stages of diagnosis to vision loss and treatment and devices, is truly inspiring. WHY ARE STRONG FEMALE ROLE MODELS SO IMPORTANT IN SCIENCE? As an optometrist, I remember seeing a teenager wanting contact lenses for her football games. You could see her light up when she talked about wanting to play AFLW – and it reminded me how important representation is. It’s helpful to see someone in a position, and you can relate to them. It gives hope and fosters dreams and possibilities you may not have considered. WHAT'S YOUR ADVICE TO WOMEN AND GIRLS CONSIDERING A SIMILAR CAREER? Give it a try! I was initially uncertain when I changed career paths, but it’s honestly the best decision I’ve made. The evolving nature of the research is exciting and keeps work interesting. WHY DOES SUSTAINABILITY IN MEDICAL RESEARCH MATTER? Sustainability ensures medical research can continue to make breakthroughs while minimising the negative environmental, ethical and financial impacts. As well as being leaders in eye research and clinical trials, CERA and Cerulea Clinical Trials can inspire other organisations to think sustainably. In the Community Climate Action Group, we evaluate waste management, uses of energy and resources for the laboratories, clinics and offices. We aim to adopt greener technologies, reduce plastics, promote recycling and minimise the environmental impact. We hope these strategies encourage colleagues to embrace small changes to make bigger impacts. #IDWGIS #WomenInScience

?? This week, we're celebrating International Day of Women and Girls in Science by highlighting emerging leaders – such as Sheridan Keene – Head of Laboratory and Facilities Operations and passionate Community Climate Action Group advocate. ?? WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT YOUR WORK? I look after all the lab and office facilities within CERA and Cerulea Clinical Trials. I love that I keep everything running, so the researchers can focus on doing their research. WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO GET INTO VISION RESEARCH? I was interested in improving health outcomes from behind the scenes, and I started my career in the lab working in immunology and cancer research. Nine years ago, I applied for a position at CERA, and I’m still here! CERA is a great place to work and are doing some exciting and groundbreaking research – and sight is such an important sense. WHY ARE STRONG FEMALE ROLE MODELS SO IMPORTANT IN SCIENCE? While more women are studying biological and health sciences, they’re less likely to get into and stay in scientific careers. Many women drop out of scientific roles for various reasons, but a common one is it’s a difficult career to manage while having a family. CERA has been a supportive and flexible workplace while having a young family, and I hope to inspire other women that you can have a career and a family, although it can be challenging at times. WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE TO WOMEN AND GIRLS CONSIDERING A SIMILAR CAREER? Always say yes to everything – you never know where it might lead. WHY DOES SUSTAINABILITY IN MEDICAL RESEARCH MATTER? Labs are among the most expensive and environmentally intensive buildings – using 10 times more energy than a similar size office space, four times as much water and creating huge amounts of plastic waste. It’s important we are sustainable to reduce costs and preserve resources. The Community Climate Action Group is full of sustainability-conscious people that want to make small sustainable changes within CERA and Cerulea, so we can minimise our impact as much as possible. #IDWGIS #WomenInScience

On International Day of Women and Girls in Science, find out what drives Nikita Thomas, who oversees gene and cell therapies trials at Cerulea Clinical Trials #WomenInScience

Current glaucoma treatments, such as medication and surgery, are effective at reducing eye pressure for many individuals. Unfortunately, for others, the disease continues to progress, leading to vision loss. CERA Head of Visual Neurovascular Research Dr Luis Alarcon-Martinez has been leading a team of international experts in a study aimed at finding new treatments by looking at blood flow in the eye. In 2020, a chance discovery of ‘nanotubes’ – microscopic structures in the retina that control blood flow – was the launching pad for Dr Alarcon Martinez’s current research. “Blood flow is very important for the retina, the optic nerve and the brain,” he says. “If you stop blood flow, nerve cells will die, and nerve cells are what are damaged in glaucoma. These structures that control blood flow, which we have only discovered recently, might play a very important role in how we treat diseases like glaucoma.” Four years after being part of the team that discovered these structures, alongside Professor Adriana Di Polo at the University of Montreal, Dr Alarcon-Martinez says he’s working with leading glaucoma experts in a study that “will hopefully pave the way toward new treatments”. Professor Di Polo, who is part of the global team, has high hopes for the study: “Our ultimate goal is a new type of therapy that protects the function of nanotubes in regulating blood flow to the complex network of nerve cells from the retina to the brain.” Dr Alarcon-Martinez says the project, supported by Fighting Blindness Canada, could potentially have an impact on research into any disease affected by blood flow, not just glaucoma. “Diabetic retinopathy, retinitis pigmentosa, age-related macular degeneration and even Alzheimer’s disease are all affected by blood flow. We’re excited to see where this project leads us.” Find out how these tiny structures could hold the key to future glaucoma treatment by accessing the link in the comments below. PICTURED (from left): Jesse Gardener-Russell, Dr Luis Alarcon-Martinez, Mahmoud Haddara and Dr Anna Wang working together in the lab.