Visual Neuroscience

Visual Neuroscience from Cardiff University is a research area in which you can focus your studies within our PhD programme in Vision Sciences.

A PhD by research in  Visual Neuroscience Visual Neuroscience from Cardiff University Cardiff University at the School of Optometry and Vision Sciences is based around a specific, well-defined research topic. 

All students have regular meetings with their supervisory team, as well as an advisor who is not directly involved with the project, and is able to objectively monitor the progress of the research, and to provide independent guidance.

In addition to the core research topic, the School provides a diverse programme of transferrable skills training, which complements the Doctoral Academy Programme.

Distinctive features

• International centre of excellence

• Laboratory suites equipped with state-of-the-art facilities for cell and organ culture, histology, neuroscience, protein analysis, molecular biology, gene transfection, molecular genetics, absorption/emission spectroscopy, and microscopic imaging

• Has made a number of novel discoveries in the context of this theme:

• Identification of the gene responsible for the major form of optic atrophy

• Lipofuscin is a photoinducible free radical generator that causes cell dysfunction

• Matrix metalloproteinases are upregulated in the development of myopia in mammals and identification of a new member of the MMP family

• Damage to the centrifugal visual system alters eye development and its retractive state, suggesting that the brain influences emmetropisation

• Developed innovative experimental or genetic models for studying corneal transplantation, ocular development, glaucoma and optic atrophy, neural tracing, oxidative damage to the retina and a variety of eye diseases

• Supported by grants from the MRC, BBSRC, Wellcome Trust, NIHR/NISCHR, EU, Medical Charities, Health Service and the private sector

Research themes:

• Genetic models of eye disease

• Understanding and preventing corneal dystrophies

• Gene transfer

• Structure of the optic nerve head in the healthy and glaucomatous eye

• Pupillary, accommodative and eye movement disorders

• Impact of neural plasticity on eye disease

• Ageing and cell dysfunction

• Oxidative damage and retinal dysfunction