ProfessorMatthew Simunovic

Project Opportunities

Title: Structure, Function, Gene Therapy and Surgery in Retinal & Macular Degeneration

Summary of opportunity:

Translational studies integrating retinal structure, function, gene therapy, cell therapy and surgical delivery in inherited retinal disease, macular degeneration and related retinal disorders.

Opportunity synopsis:

Inherited retinal diseases (IRD), age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and other retinal degenerations share common pathways of photoreceptor dysfunction and progressive visual loss. Emerging therapies — including gene therapy, optogenetics, neuroprotection and cell-based interventions — require precise structural, functional and surgical evaluation.

This multi-faceted program integrates clinical investigation with laboratory research and may include:

• Structural and functional phenotyping of retinal degeneration using advanced imaging, psychophysical biomarkers and AI analysis
• Correlation of genotype with disease expression and treatment response
• Development and validation of functional biomarkers for therapeutic trials
• Modelling and optimisation of subretinal surgical delivery of gene, biologic and cellular therapies
• Evaluation of viral vector expression and cellular targeting in human retinal explants
• Development and assessment of cell-based therapies for retinal repair
• Optimisation of surgical techniques for therapeutic retinal detachment and subretinal delivery

Projects can be tailored toward clinical research, translational laboratory investigation, surgical innovation or cell therapy development.

This program provides exposure to gene therapy, optogenetics, cell therapy, advanced retinal imaging, translational surgical modelling and early-phase clinical trial methodology.

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Project Opportunities

Title: Retinal bioglue for retinal repair

Summary of opportunity:

Biolgue for retinal detachment, macular hole repair and cell delivery

Opportunity synopsis:

In collaboration with A/Prof. Jing Jing You (School of Medical Sciences), we have developed a novel retinal bioglue capable of sealing retinal defects in preclinical models of retinal detachment, with the potential to obviate the need for intraocular gas or silicone oil tamponade.

This programme has been supported by the Macula Society (USA) and the Australian Economic Accelerator. The technology is now progressing toward first-in-human evaluation.

PhD and Masters candidates may undertake projects spanning:

• Mechanistic laboratory studies of adhesive–retinal interactions
• Optimisation of biomaterial properties and light activation parameters
• Preclinical efficacy and safety evaluation in retinal detachment and macular hole models
• Expansion into adjacent indications including ocular trauma and subretinal cell delivery
• Regulatory preparation and translational studies supporting first-in-human clinical trials

This project offers exposure to translational ophthalmic biomaterials development, regulatory science, and early-phase clinical trial design.