Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA)

We're very pleased to share that Lauren Ayton has been promoted to Professor by the University of Melbourne! Many of you will know Professor Ayton as a passionate researcher and advocate for people living with inherited retinal diseases (IRDs). 👁️ As co-leader of our Retinal Gene Therapy team, she’s researching gene therapies that could slow down, or even halt, vision loss in people with IRDs. And as co-leader of the VENTURE study – a collaboration between CERA and The University of Melbourne – Professor Ayton is helping to improve our understanding of rare diseases and identify who may be eligible for upcoming clinical trials. Please join us in congratulating Professor Ayton for this well-deserved honour! 🎉

In today’s edition of the Herald Sun, read a remarkable story about how gene therapy has given a young boy back his sight. Krisshiv was the first child in Victoria to receive Luxturna, the therapy developed by pioneering scientist Professor Jean Bennett to treat inherited retinal diseases associated with a particular gene. The treatment only needs to be given once and can restore sight in a matter of days. It was delivered by CERA’s Head of Retinal Gene Therapy Research Dr Thomas Edwards. Alongside Associate Professor Lauren Ayton, they are working to identify families in Victoria who carry the genes associated inherited retinal diseases and help them access clinical trials for new treatments as they become available. Researchers at CERA are also using gene therapy to try and restore sight for many more conditions. Pick up a copy and learn more about gene therapy.

It was our pleasure this week to welcome Professor Jean Bennett to CERA and present this year's Annual Gerard Crock lecture. Her work that ultimately led to the world’s first approved ocular gene therapy – Luxturna, a treatment for a rare genetic form of childhood blindness Leber Congenital Amaurosis – is an inspiration for the many researchers here working towards new treatments that aim transform the lives of people living with many other conditions. Thank you, Professor Bennett, for sharing your story and expertise with all of us here. You can watch the recording of her inspiring and engaging presentation on the CERA website: https://lnkd.in/g_UhWq42

It was an honour to tell this family's story on A Current Affair. Scientists know exactly how to stop Francesco and Vincenzo going blind within the first 10 years of their life. All they need is funding to get clinical trials underway. The boys' beautiful parents have started the Silent Sight Foundation to achieve their mission before their sons lose their sight. https://lnkd.in/grhuggJ5

A big congratulations to CERA's Associate Professor Zhichao Wu on being named optometrist of the year by Optometry Victoria South Australia! The award recognises his impressive contributions to research into both retinal disease and glaucoma, his excellence supervising students and his leadership both in Australia and internationally. Congratulations Zhichao!

Stephen and Stephanie's two little boys - Francesco and Vincenzo - have both been diagnosed with Usher syndrome. They're advocates for Usher syndrome awareness, and funding research into this condition that currently does not have a cure. It was our pleasure to meet them and share the research happening here at CERA that is aiming to find a gene therapy to treat Usher syndrome for this story on A Current Affair. Thanks to them both for their work through Silent Sight Foundation raising awareness about Usher syndrome, as well as the impact research can have for the people living with rare conditions and their families.

Shelley Kline has spent four decades dealing with pain, medication and traumatic procedures for her eye disease. She knows supporting research is the key to better treatment and care for young people, and has raised more than $500,000 as a tribute to her ophthalmologist - the iconic Professor Frank Billson AO. Researchers, such as Dr Sandra Staffieri AO, are among those furthering their research thanks to the generous scholarship. Continue reading about Shelley's journey and why she's paying it forward to support better outcomes for the next generation. https://lnkd.in/gbM2JXry

It was our pleasure to welcome Francesco and his family to CERA for his annual eye test! It's always special to meet children and their families so we can share our progress towards finding new ways to protect the sight of people diagnosed with Usher Syndrome. Thanks to Stephen and Stephanie for their advocacy, support of research into Usher Syndrome Type 1B and their belief in the work that we do - we're looking forward to finding new ways to work together in the future.

You're invited to join us next Tuesday 19 November as pioneering researcher Professor Jean Bennett and CERA scientists discuss the sight-saving potential of gene therapy at the 15th annual Gerard Crock Lecture. Hear about Professor Bennett’s role leading pivotal research that led to the development of the world’s first approved ocular gene therapy – Luxturna, a treatment for a rare genetic form of childhood blindness Leber Congenital Amaurosis, as well as what is on the horizon. Both in-person and online livestream tickets are free – but registrations are essential: https://lnkd.in/gbEabjrs Cerulea Clinical Trials, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences.

CERA researchers have successfully used an innovative gene therapy technique that could one day replace the need for regular eye injections for conditions including ‘wet’ age-related macular degeneration and diabetic eye disease. Their technique edits a person's RNA, which changes the genetic instructions that influence the way cells behave without permanently altering DNA. "We envision that RNA editing could become a viable alternative to invasive and costly eye injections that have become a fact of life for many people," says Head of Genetic Engineering Research Associate Professor Guei-Sheung (Rick) Liu. Read more: https://ow.ly/7n6350U2O0q