Welcome

Welcome to the Ocular Cell Biology research group at Queensland University of Technology (QUT). We operate within the Centre for Vision and Eye Research and the School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, and our research office and lab space are located in Q Block on the Kelvin Grove campus.

Our research programs focus on the anterior segment of the eye, including conditions affecting the various layers of the cornea and surrounding ocular structures e.g. corneal bioengineering including a multiomics approach for manufacture of corneal transplantation products, rare glaucoma including Iridocorneal Endothelial (ICE) Syndrome, and thyroid eye disease. If you have a question or would like further details on any of our projects, please Contact Us.

What is the cornea?

The cornea is the clear covering at the front of the eye, that encloses the iris (coloured part of the eye), pupil, and lens behind it. A broad range of conditions can affect the cornea and lead to blindness in a variety of ways, making corneal blindness the third most common cause of blindness, globally. Chemical burns and limbal stem cell deficiency can impair the ability of the corneal surface (epithelium) to regenerate. Loss of cells from the internal lining of the cornea (endothelium) disrupts the delicate hydration balance of the stroma, which sits between the internal lining and external surface. The corneal tissue becomes cloudy, making it very difficult for light to pass through, which disrupts vision. In these cases, restoring the endothelial cells of the interior lining can re-balance the fluid level of the stroma and restore clarity and, hence, normal visual function to the cornea once more.

Learn about our current research by clicking the tabs below:

UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2021, the United Nations adopted the UN Resolution on Vision, committing the international community to eye health for the 1.1 billion people living with preventable sight loss. We are proud to be contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals through research into preventing blindness and the development of new methods for vision recovery (SDG 3 – Good Health and Wellbeing).