Moosajee lab Ocular Genomics and Therapeutics Laboratory

We focus on understanding the causes of genetic eye disease to improve diagnostics and develop new treatments for patients.

Genetic eye diseases are a significant cause of blindness amongst children and adults worldwide and there are limited treatment options. We study the causes of these diseases by analysing the entire genetic code (genome) from patients and using disease models including zebrafish and patient-derived human stem cells to model early eye development.

Through investigating disease mechanisms, we can identify potential new treatment options. One area we are particularly interested in is the development of non-viral gene therapy for inherited retinal diseases. Our aim is to improve gene delivery to the retina and assess the response of light-sensitive cells – the photoreceptors – to foreign DNA so we can minimise harm and find straightforward and safe ways to get these treatments into the clinic.