Curing blindness is now within sight Advancing basic and translational research and creating pharmacological treatments to cure blindness. Welcome Message Our Center for Translational Vision Research at the Gavin Herbert Eye Institute serves as an international leader in advancing research and bolstering the support of investigators pursuing basic and translational sciences relevant to vision. We are bringing together exceptional scientific expertise from within the University, the School of Medicine and other schools, and complementary research programs to advance collaborations that focus on fundamental discoveries in vision research with translational potential. We aim to integrate basic and clinical research, including genetics and pharmacology, in order to develop innovative and accessible therapies for millions robbed of their sight or progressing toward blindness. Center for Translational Vision Research becomes an Organized Research Unit Per UCI, an Organized Research Unit (ORU) is an academic unit established by the University to provide a focused and supportive infrastructure for inter-, cross-, and multi-disciplinary research complementary to the academic goals of departments and schools. The functions of an ORU are to facilitate research and research collaborations; disseminate research results through research conferences, meetings and other activities; strengthen graduate and undergraduate education by providing students with training opportunities and access to facilities; and carry out university and public service programs related to the ORU's research expertise. The Director of an ORU, who must be a tenured faculty member, is appointed by the Vice Chancellor for Research. Directors are generally appointed for a five-year term with the possibility of reappointment, and report to the Vice Chancellor for Research. The establishment of ORUs is quite rare at UCI. In 2016, the Vice Chancellor for Research revised the guidelines and introduced the PrORU mechanism. CTVR is the first to transition from a PrORU to a full ORU under these new guidelines. The last two ORUs were established in 2013 and 2021. Researchers Sponsors Postdocs Students Community Breaking Barriers: Trailblazing Innovations in Medical Research Symposium CTVR is hosting a world class Symposium, titled: "Breaking Barriers: Trailblazing Innovations in Medical Research” on September 19, 2025. We are honored to organize this one-day event, which will delve into the forefront of modern medical research and explore groundbreaking innovations. Our symposium will feature leading scientists from across the nation, including three Nobel laureates, a Presidential Early Career Award recipient, and other distinguished speakers, who will share their insights on opening new frontiers in medical research. Additionally, we are planning to host power meetings with the prominent researchers, providing a platform for collaboration and exchange of ideas. Please check back in with us here for registration details in October, 2024 Continue Reading CTVR is Awarded Space in the Falling Leaves Foundation Medical Innovation Building CTVR interdisciplinary research program has been selected for the new building and adjacent space! At 215,000 square feet, the building is slated to be the largest interdisciplinary discovery and translational research hub on the West Coast. Scheduled to open in 2025, it is made possible by the extraordinary generosity of Adeline Mah, MD, and Robert Mah, PhD, through their Falling Leaves Foundation.The Falling Leaves Foundation Medical Innovation Building is an embodiment of our collaborative One Health alliance, bringing together talent from across Health Affairs and attracting new recruits from around the globe. It will empower our clinicians and scientists to cure blindness, unlock breakthrough cancer treatments, revolutionize the treatment of neurological disorders, and harness genetics, proteomics and cutting-edge technologies to treat rare diseases and prevent common illnesses. Read More Distinguished Speaker Series Every Friday, 8:30 am-10:00 am PST, during Academic year, CTVR hosts worldwide research seminars on the groundbreaking research topics ranging from ophthalmology, genetics, biochemistry, neurobiology, imaging, computational sciences to novel ophthalmic treatments. This seminar series showcases the Vision Science Program and engages our colleagues from UCI, the region, the nation and beyond. Please join us! Learn more About Friday Seminars News Dec 16, 2024 | Center for Translational Vision Research Dr. Emma Lessieur - Tom Angell Fellowship Postdoctoral Scholar Award Winner Dr. Emma Lessieur received an award for showing excellent mentorship of UC Irvine graduate students and fellow postdoctoral scholars. Congratulations! Dec 03, 2024 | UCI School of Medicine UC Irvine-co-led study finds DNA damage is key factor in age-related macular degeneration Dr. Skowronska-Krawczyk and her team's research shows that targeting specific retinal cell types could lead to treatments that slow or stop progression. May 08, 2024 | UCI School of Medicine Congratulations to our 2024 Awardees David Salom, PhD is announced to be the winner of the 2024 UCI School of Medicine Outstanding Career Scientist Research Award! Emily Tom, MD, PhD student received the 2024 Outstanding Graduate Student Research Award Honorable Mention! Congratulations, CTVR members, we are very proud! View All News Events Dec 20, 2024 Distinguished Speaker Series | Krishanu Saha, PhD View All Events View All Events Unique Two-photon Ophthalmoscope (2PO) The CTVR boasts having the two-photon ophthalmoscope (2PO) instrument for humans, a next-generation technology that could accomplish in-depth, real-time views of disease progression. It is the only one in the country and only one of the two in the world. This live imaging with 2PO excitation can help provide patients more individualized treatment by using a nondestructive, deeply penetrating long-wavelength infrared laser beam. The application of 2PO simultaneously exceeds and complements the capabilities of optical coherence tomography and scanning laser ophthalmoscopy, two of the techniques currently used clinically to image retinal diseases. Read Full Article CTVR Publication Library We strive to make our research available to benefit and transform society and improve people's lives. Full List of Publications Highlighted Publications Below is a selection of our most recent publications. The multifaceted roles of retinoids in eye development, vision, and retinal degenerative diseases. Engfer, Z.J., K. Palczewski, (2024) Current Topics in Developmental Biology: Retinoids in Development and Disease (in press). In vivo photoreceptor base editing ameliorates rhodopsin-E150K autosomal-recessive retinitis pigmentosa in mice. Du, S.W., G. A. Newby, D. Salom, F. Gao, C. Rodrigues Menezes, S. Suh, E. H. Choi, P. Z. Chen, D. R. Liu, K. Palczewski, Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. (in press) Stress induced aging in mouse eye. Xu Q, Rydz C, Nguyen Huu VA, Rocha L, Palomino La Torre C, Lee I, Cho W, Jabari M, Donello J, Lyon DC, Brooke R, Horvath S, Weinreb RN, Ju WK, Foik A, Skowronska-Krawczyk D*; (2022). Aging Cell , PMID: 36397653 DOI: 10.1111/acel.13737 Ultrafast transient absorption spectra and kinetics of human blue cone visual pigment at room temperature. Krishnamoorthi A, Salom D, Wu A, Palczewski K, Rentzepis PM, Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2024 Oct 8;121(41):e2414037121. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2414037121. Epub 2024 Oct 2.PMID: 39356673