Research programme
Retinoblastoma and retinal regeneration
We use the retina to understand how developmental circuitry creates cancer susceptibility—and how neurons can be protected or encouraged to regenerate.
Central question
Which developmental programmes make cone precursors susceptible to retinoblastoma, and can related circuitry be redirected to preserve or restore vision?
Retinoblastoma provided one of the clearest demonstrations that cancer susceptibility is rooted in cell identity. Work from the laboratory helped establish that retinal cell types respond differently to RB loss and that cone-precursor programmes create a uniquely permissive context for tumour initiation.
The same expertise in retinal development is applied to neurodegeneration and regeneration. Using single-cell genomics, tissue models and in vivo perturbation, the group seeks networks and drug targets that protect photoreceptors, prevent vision loss and stimulate repair.