The event coincided with and celebrated Rare Disease Day, an International awareness day which aims to highlight stories of people who suffer from rare disorders as well as gain further research and funding. Our focus was on sharing methods of detection and research into different treatments.
The day was packed with easy-to-understand presentations and interactive sessions.
Thomas Smart from the Sarunic Lab rounded up a growing group of experts in the field of medical imaging. His lab explores the workings of OCT scans, one of the most common eye tests after the classic visual acuity chart. Patients and the public learned what the scan shows and how it helps clinicians and researchers to diagnose and monitor retinal diseases. Prof. Sarunic dropped by to support his team and to join the explanation of the OCT scan.
Ana Alonso-Carriazo Fernandez, Anna Staub, and Zaynab Butt from the Carr Lab engaged the audience with a bounty of interactive tools and games to speak about the eye at a cellular level. They explained what can go wrong with genes and how they investigate these problems. The Carr Lab focuses on understanding and creating new therapies for macular diseases with their work having helped AMD patients recover their vision. They explained to visitors about their work to explore cutting-edge technologies like genome editing and precision medicine, aiming to prevent vision loss altogether.
It is always a pleasure to explain what we do to others. I feel specially grateful to all of those that have shared their personal stories of how science and new research have changed their lives for the better, and what their hopes are for the future. That is what makes every day in the lab more meaningful.
Ana Alonso-Carriazo Fernandez
Giada Becchi and Adriana Bakoulina from the Cheetham Lab explained how genes can cause issues in some eye cells and how these issues affect cell function. They discussed the work they are doing to develop treatments for retinal neurodegenerative diseases such as Retinitis Pigmentosa, Leber Congenital Amaurosis, and Dominant Optic Atrophy.
Great to see researchers sharing their knowledge and enthusiasm about their work with service users, staff, and volunteers, allowing for two-way conversations highlighting priorities and outcomes that benefit all.
Sabina Uddin the Friends of Moorfields Health Hub Manager
The team from the NIHR Moorfields Biomedical Research Centre provided support by talking about the different ways members of the public and patients can become involved in research. The team promoted Research Opportunities at Moorfields and NIHR BioResource campaigns “Improving Black Health Outcomes” and “D-Cypher” both aimed at engaging underserved communities in the medical research space.
The Research Roadshow launch was a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness and generate change for those living with rare diseases and their families. It was a day filled with discovery, excitement, and hope for the future. Thank you to everyone who participated and made this event a memorable success.