Dorota Skowronska-Krawczyk Awarded RPB Catalyst Award for Innovative AMD Lipid Metabolism Research

Dr. Dorota Skowronska-Krawczyk has been awarded the Dr. H. James & Carole Free Catalyst Award for Innovative Research Approaches for Age-Related Macular Degeneration for her proposal, “Modulating Lipid Metabolism to Prevent Age-Related Macular Degeneration.” Her research presents an innovative strategy for preventing and treating age-related macular degeneration (AMD) by targeting lipid metabolism and the role of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in maintaining retinal health during aging.

This work emphasizes the underexplored but critical importance of lipid balance in retinal degeneration. Rather than focusing solely on late-stage disease, Dr. Skowronska-Krawczyk’s approach highlights targeted supplementation of specific fatty acids as a key innovation, grounded in a molecular understanding of retinal aging. By addressing lipid dysregulation early, her research aims to preserve retinal structure and function before irreversible damage occurs.

As part of this effort, Dr. Skowronska-Krawczyk proposes extending her studies to non-human primates, whose retinal structure closely resembles that of humans. This step is intended to strengthen the translational potential of her findings and accelerate the path toward clinical application.

This research has the potential to transform AMD prevention by shifting the paradigm from treating advanced disease to implementing early interventions that maintain retinal health through lipid balance. By identifying a targetable mechanism in retinal aging, the work supports the development of novel therapies that may reduce AMD risk or slow its progression. These insights may also inform treatment strategies for other age-related neurodegenerative diseases linked to lipid metabolism.

The Dr. H. James & Carole Free Catalyst Award for Innovative Research Approaches for AMD is designed to support novel, ground-breaking research aimed at unraveling the complexities of age-related macular degeneration. Research to Prevent Blindness awards only up to three Catalyst Awards for AMD research, underscoring the competitiveness and significance of this honor.