Career milestone
Postdoctoral fellow Arjun Bharioke became Assistant Professor at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC, Charleston, USA). His new lab combines optical methods to interrogate circuits with computational modelling and simulations, to build an understanding of how cortical circuits form, respond to changes, and generate cognitive functions.
Grants to IOB researchers
Warm congratulations to Veronica Moreno Juan (postdoctoral fellow in the Human Retina Circuits Group) and Guilherme Testa Silva (head of Physiological Technologies), who both received a 1-year Spark grant from the Swiss National Science Foundation.
IOB in the media
Fiona Müllner (postdoctoral fellow in the Central Visual Circuits Group) discussed her latest research with EYEFOX. Her paper published in Neuron (June 2024) reveals how thalamic inhibitory interneurons specialize in processing distinct visual features, adding an important piece to our understanding of visual processing in the brain.
Lucas Janeschitz-Kriegl (PhD student in translational research at IOB and ophthalmologist at the Eye Clinic of the University Hospital Basel) shared his expertise about eyes and vision in “Checkpod,” a German knowledge podcast by ARD designed for primary school children. The episode, hosted by presenter Tobias Krell (“Checker Tobi”), makes complex vision science accessible to young audiences. You can listen to the episode here.
Bence György (head of the Ophthalmic Translational Research Group) was featured in an article in the Research Magazine of the University of Basel UNI NOVA, highlighting IOB’s innovative approach on cone optogenetics. This research has led to the establishment of RhyGaze, an IOB spin-out company that plans to advance these findings toward clinical trials.
Some recent IOB publications
Myopia Research Group
Retinal “sweet spot” for myopia treatment, Scientific Reports volume 14, Article number: 26773 (2024)
This study reveals that a specific area of the peripheral retina (between 6 and 10 degrees from the center) might be particularly important for controlling eye growth. The finding provides new perspectives for myopia treatment approaches.
Ophthalmic Genetics Group
De novo variants in LRRC8C resulting in constitutive channel activation cause a human multisystem disorder, EMBO J. 2024 Dec 2.
This collaborative study identifies how variants in the LRRC8C gene can cause a congenital human syndrome. The research reveals the crucial role of volume-regulated ion channels in human development, showing how their disruption affects multiple organs including the eyes.
Ophthalmic Translational Research Group
PCDH15 dual-AAV gene therapy for deafness and blindness in Usher syndrome type 1F models, J Clin Invest. 2024;134(23):e177700.
This collaborative study demonstrates a promising dual-AAV gene therapy approach for Usher syndrome type 1F. Testing in mouse models showed restored hearing and balance, while studies in human retinal organoids and primate retinas demonstrated successful gene delivery, marking important progress toward potential treatments for this condition affecting both vision and hearing.
As we enter 2025, we look forward to continuing our mission of advancing vision research and therapeutic development.
We extend our warmest wishes to our scientific colleagues, partners, and the broader research community for an innovative new year.
