Center for hereditary retinal degenerations
Focus
The Center for Hereditary Retinal Degenerations is a clinical facility that provides diagnostic evaluation and clinical consultation for patients with inherited forms of retinal degenerative diseases and performs research to better understand the basis and progression of these conditions.
At the Center for Hereditary Retinal Degenerations, a team of clinicians, scientists, and vision specialists perform psychophysical tests (like color vision, perimetry, dark adaptation, full-field stimulus testing), imaging tests (like OCT, autofluorescence imaging), and electrophysiological tests (like ERG and EOG) on patients in order to diagnose and monitor the progression of the retinal diseases.
The ultimate goal is to provide treatment for these incurable disorders. At our Center for Hereditary Retinal Degenerations, there are currently ongoing and upcoming early-phase clinical trials that test the safety and efficacy of potential therapies in patients who have these diseases.
Please visit the Center for Hereditary Retinal Degenerations' website at this link.
Contact
Phone: 1-215-662-9981
Fax: 215-662-9388
Email: chrd@uphs.upenn.edu
FM Kirby center for molecular ophthalmology
The F.M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology has stood for 30 years as a testament to scientific spirit and leadership. Established through the visionary philanthropy of F. M. Kirby, the Center leads in the study of molecular ophthalmology with a particular focus on gene therapy's transformative potential. The Center's foundational work, led by the likes of Jean Bennett, MD, PhD, and Albert Maguire, MD, revolutionized the field by harnessing adeno-associated viruses for efficient and safe gene delivery to the retina. This groundbreaking research culminated in Luxturna®, the first FDA-approved gene therapy for retinal disease, marking a seminal milestone in the treatment of hereditary blindness.
Philanthropy—particularly from the Kirby family and Foundation—has been instrumental in propelling the Center forward. The legacy of F.M. Kirby continues to inspire and support the Center's mission and dedication to improving patient care through scientific discovery.
Currently led by Vice Chair for Research Joshua Dunaief, PhD, MD, the F.M. Kirby Center's commitment to innovation extends beyond–delving into the intricacies of aging and rejuvenation, seeking to unravel the molecular underpinnings of age-related eye diseases.
Education and mentorship form the foundation of the F.M. Kirby Center's mission. By fostering an environment where knowledge is shared and curiosity is nurtured, the Center ensures the continuous flow of fresh ideas and talents into the field.
From high school students to post-doctoral fellows, the Center hosts the next generation of vision scientists. Through initiatives like the Vision Science Club and the annual Vision Science Day Symposium, the Center promotes a vibrant culture of intellectual exchange and collaboration—extending across Penn's bounds to the global ophthalmology community.
The Center's approach to mentorship is holistic—recognizing the importance of nurturing not only the intellectual, but also the personal, growth of its members. This environment ensures that each individual's potential is fully explored, with mutual support beyond the professional realm.
With the F.M. Kirby Center's marked success despite its relative youth, its principal investigators are poised to continue its trailblazing work in the decades to come—with research priorities focused on further unraveling the mysteries of aging and rejuvenation in the eye. The Center continues to probe new therapeutic possibilities to improve the quality of life for individuals affected by eye diseases worldwide.
iPOWER
Unique in its curricular structure, the Innovative Program in Ophthalmology with Exceptional Research (iPOWER) allows residents to dedicate a full year solely to research with a faculty mentor before embarking on four years of clinical training at Scheie.
After the foundational research year, the Department funds part of a research assistant's salary throughout PGY1-4; thus, the resident can continue research projects by supervising the assistant, while also experiencing dedicated mentorship by a principal investigator.
iPOWER's path catalyzes the careers of future clinician-scientists, setting Scheie apart as one of only three institutions nationwide to offer a program of its kind to prospective residents. Embodying its fitting mantra "Little Eye, Big Power," iPOWER reflects Scheie's commitment to fostering substantial research prowess within ophthalmology. Please visit our resident information webpage for more details.
K12 clinician vision scientist program
The NIH K12 grant enables Department-selected Scholars to devote 75% of their effort to research. It also provides mentoring and other research resources with the goal of having the Scholar transition to an individual NIH K award (K08 or K23) within 3 years and an R01 within 6 years. The Scheie research program focuses on mechanisms of ocular aging and cellular rejuvenation, although other areas of research are also of interest.
Penn's Department of Ophthalmology K12 program is located in one of the NEI's top-funded Departments. The program has been running for 19 years and has facilitated the careers of numerous academic faculty, many of whom have continued their careers at Scheie after completing the program.
The candidates must be interested in becoming Scientist-Clinicians, planning to devote 75% or more of their time to research throughout their careers.
Apply to the program todayIn the news
Funded by an NIH K12 grant, the K12 Clinician Vision Scientist Program is another pivotal opportunity in the Department's strategy to cultivate a new generation of visionary clinician-scientists. This initiative reflects our commitment to integrating cutting-edge research with comprehensive clinical training, aligned with the expertise and overarching goals of our diverse specialist community. The K12 Program, running robustly at Penn for 19 years within one of the NEI's top-funded departments, allows selected scholars to dedicate a substantial 75% of their efforts to research. With a focus on a myriad of critical areas—for instance, the mechanisms of ocular aging and cellular rejuvenation—the program aims to equip its participants with both the holistic support and skills necessary to transition to significant NIH awards such as the K08 or K23 within three years, and an R01 within six years. Many K12 alumni, including Drs. Aleman, Binenbaum, Vanderbeek, Qi, Ross, and Uyhazi, have continued to build their careers here within the Department of Ophthalmology, contributing to our robust reputation as a leader in ophthalmic research and education. Their resultant fulfilled career paths prove the K12 Program's success in fostering high-caliber clinician-scientists who continue to make impactful strides at Penn and in ophthalmology at large.
The K12 Clinician Vision Scientist and iPOWER programs are key to Scheie's 360° expansion strategy. Both of these initiatives exemplify the Department of Ophthalmology’s concrete dedication to nurturing talent that will continue to advance our field, ensuring that we maintain a unique vision to be at the forefront of ophthalmic education and research nationwide—as we have historically achieved.
by Maressa Park