School of Optometry and Vision Sciences

The aim of my research is to better understand corneal ultrastructure, especially in relation to factors that may influence corneal transparency. I have spent over 20 years studying the organisation of collagen fibrils and proteoglycan macromolecules in various corneal diseases and dystrophies, and am now trying to better appreciate the molecular changes that accompany the development of corneal transparency. I have also worked and retain and interest in tissue engineering of the corneal epithelial, stromal and endothelial layers.
My research employs a number of biophysical techniques such as electron microscopy and structural x-ray diffraction studies using radiation from powerful synchrotron sources, most notably SPring-8 in Japan, ESRF in France, and more recently DIAMOND in Oxfordshire.
I have very strong international collaborations with leading investigators in the USA and Japan. I am Visiting Professor at The Department of Ophthalmology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, and in collaboration with scientists there was fortunate enough to be recognised in 2004 by the award of the Daiwa Adrian Prize for excellence in Anglo-Japanese research. I have been an ARVO member since 1988, and served on the Cornea section of the ARVO Annual Meeting Programme Committee from 2005 to 2008 (co-chair in 2007/08). The task of this committee is to organised the cornea programme at the 10,000-delegate annual ARVO meeting in Florida. I am and have been principal or co-investigator on a programme and project grants from all the relevant government Research Councils (BBSRC, EPSRC, MRC) totalling over £4million, with current EPSRC-funded work focusing on high-pressure cryo-vitrification of corneal tissue for electron microscopy and the preservation of native hydrated structure.