Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc. Awards

Aleksander Tworak, PhD was awarded the grant to study "Mer tyrosine kinase: functional study and therapeutic approach evaluation". The first goal of this proposal is to study still unclear biological aspects of phagocytosis by imaging the process in live animals using advanced two-photon microscopy.The second goal is to develop approach to correct one of the mutations of MERTK gene that lead to blindness in humans.

Dominik Lewandowski, PhD was awarded the grant to study "Identifying new strategies for lowering ceramides in the retina as a potential approach in retinitis pigmentosa and juvenile macular degeneration treatment". Dominik proposes to assess effects of decreasing ceramide (a cell death lipid messenger implicated in diverse retinal degenerations) via a pair of approved drugs ("DC") and activating a ceramidase with novel adiponectin mimicking agonists.

Rafal Holubowicz, PhD was awarded the grant to study "Restoration of MFRP rd6 mutation using prime editor ribonucleoprotein delivery". Rafal proposes a study allowing for development of a ribonucleoprotein-based prime editing technology to deliver the genome editing machinery in a transient manner. This will allow to precisely repair disease-causing mutations in the genome, allowing to develop a therapy to preserve vision in children suffering from inherited retinal degenerations.

The Knights Templar Eye Foundation, incorporated in 1956, is a charity sponsored by the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar.  The original mission of the Foundation was “to provide assistance to those who face loss of sight due to the need for surgical treatment without regard to race, color, creed, age, sex or national origin provided they are unable to pay or receive adequate assistance from current government agencies or similar sources and to provide funds for research in curing diseases of the eye.” On December 31, 2010, the Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc., by direction of the board, shifted the Foundation’s focus and adopted a new mission statement “to improve vision through research, education, and supporting access to care.” The Foundation now only participates in direct patient care through the Seniors Eye Care Program in partnership with EyeCare America and the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. With this change, the Foundation is benefiting untold millions in generations to come through grants that support research and education. Our research dollars have helped develop new,
non-surgical, treatments for strabismus (crossed eyes) and ophthalmologists have told us that our efforts in funding pediatric ophthalmology research have been the primary reason that here are fewer and fewer surgeries for strabismus. The Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc., annually announces its call for research grant applications. The Foundation has awarded over $34 million in research grants and $10 million in endowments at five of the leading ophthalmology research and educational institutions.