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Revolutionizing Multiple Sclerosis and Alzheimer’s disease Monitoring: The Role of Retinal Imaging in Understanding Disease Progression

School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD
Funding
Funded
Reference Number
SMED-2251-1036
Application Deadline
8 April 2025
Start Date
1 October 2025

Overview

The major aim of this study is to explore the relationship between structural, functional, and molecular changes in the human peripheral retina using state-of-the-art clinical imaging and functional testing supplemented by molecular characterisation using cadaveric eyes.

Peripheral retinal abnormalities are well-accepted to contribute to disease pathogenesis, and ultra-widefield imaging (UWFI) is now a routine clinical imaging modality. It is, however, significantly less well understood how these peripheral retinal changes develop and how they affect vision, even though it is gradually becoming clear that these changes can be used as markers for disease progression. This suggests that peripheral retinal changes could become specific and selective markers for testing the effectiveness of treatment. During this PhD program, the student will:

1) Conduct a detailed evaluation of newly developed combined multimodal retinal images can improve our understanding of peripheral retinal changes.

2) Optimize grading protocols for peripheral retinal changes to enhance our ability to conduct better clinical research and clinical trials and work with experts on AI approaches for retinal image analysis.

3) Improve our understanding of how peripheral retinal changes are correlated with retinal function in vivo and molecular changes in vitro, and develop new ways to design clinic studies.

Funding Information

This a collaborative studentship, with an enhanced stipend. Any offer of a studentship is subject to the studentship agreement being fully executed between Queen’s University Belfast and the Partner.
Funded by the Department for the Economy (DfE). For eligible students the value of an award includes the cost of approved tuition fees and maintenance support. The 2025/26 rates are still to be confirmed.
For further information about eligibility criteria please refer to the DfE Postgraduate Studentship Terms and Conditions at https://www.economy-ni.gov.uk/publications/student-finance-postgraduate-studentships-terms-and-conditions

Project Summary
Supervisor

Dr Imre Lengyel

More Information

askmhls@qub.ac.uk

Research Profile


Mode of Study

Full-time: 3 Years


Funding Body
DfE Collaborative Studentship
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