Project Code
MRCNMH26Ca Mead
Project Type
Wet lab
Research Theme
Neuroscience and Mental Health
Project Summary Download
Summary
Glaucoma causes progressive retinal ganglion cell (RGC) loss and remains without effective neuroprotective therapy. While platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) show strong protective effects in preclinical models, their short half-lives make frequent injections impractical. These factors are enriched in platelets and released in extracellular vesicles (EVs), which naturally cross the blood-retinal barrier. We hypothesize that platelet-derived EVs can serve as endogenous delivery vehicles for PDGF and BDNF. Moreover, we propose that focused ultrasound can non-invasively trigger EV release at the eye, enabling targeted neuroprotection of RGCs in glaucoma.
Lead Supervisor
Dr Ben Mead
Lead Supervisor Email
University Affiliation
Cardiff