Professor Alan Stitt, Centre for Vision Science, Queen’s University Belfast

Prof Stitt’s programme of research is focused on pathophysiology of diabetic retinopathy. He utilizes molecular cell biology approaches to understand mechanism of disease and identify novel targets for therapeutic intervention. This research has evolved in response to specific pathogenic issues that can only be effectively answered by a coherent multidisciplinary approach.

Prof Stitt has published over 80 scientific manuscripts in the inter-related areas of diabetic retinopathy, biology of advanced glycation and retinal angiogenesis. In partnership with a network of local, national and international collaborative partners, his programme of research has focused on important cellular and molecular mechanisms of retinal cell dysfunction and death. Using a range of complex in vitro and in vivo model systems, this research has established that advanced glycation has an important pathogenic role in diabetic retinopathy. It has also demonstrated that inhibition of advanced glycation during experimental diabetes can prevent many of the important microvascular changes associated with diabetic retinopathy.

Interfacing with his research into advanced glycation, Prof Stitt has also researched the possibility of re-vascularising ischaemic retina thereby promoting reversal of the stimulus for neovascularisation in collaboration with Belfast-based colleagues. Using integrated model systems, this research has described several mechanisms whereby retinal blood vessels can be encouraged to vascularise the neural retina rather than proliferate on the retinal surface. An important achievement in this area has been the use of novel peptide analogues to promote reversal of retinal ischaemia in a valid pre-clinical model. Recent research is also interested in the pathobiology of endothelial progenitor cells and the mechanisms of vasogenic repair in diabetic retinopathy.