Professor Roska is the the founding director of the Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel and a Professor in both the medical and science faculties at the University of Basel. Prof Roska's world leading research group is focused on the understanding of vision and its diseases and the development of gene therapies to restore vision. Combining his expertise in the biology of the retina with genetics and virology, his group have developed new therapeutic approaches to treat devastating eye diseases. He has pioneered the use of optogenetics, a biological technique that uses light to control the activity of cells in living organisms. Indeed, his work made headlines around he world when a study in Nature Medicine in 2021 showed that optogenetic therapy could restore vision in a patient with retinitis pigmentosa. Prof Roska is incredibly passionate about understanding the biology of the eye, but importantly also about bridging the gap between research and the clinic to accelerate the development of treatments for patients who urgently need them. Prof Roska’s achievements were previously recognised when he was awarded the Körber European Science Prize, and the Wolf Prize in Medicine in 2024.

Prof Botond Roska (centre) is presented the Barcroft Medal by Professor Alan Smyth, Dean and Head of School, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences and Dr Rebecca Coll of WWIEM QUB

Prof Roska presented his lecture "Restoring vision with optogenetics therapy" at 3PM on the 20^th November at the MBC LT1. The audience of academics, students and patient advocates were enthralled by his presentation and Prof Roska also generously took the time to answer questions before and after his lecture. 

Reference: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-021-01351-4