Fellows and Students
Fellows and Students
Andrea Maccari, MD candidate
Resident in Ophthalmology and MD candidate, is trained in cell culture, immunohistology, and biochemical analyses. His project aims to isolate and cultivate genetically modified ocular cells (by transfection with the genes encoding the proteins PEDF and GM-CSF, using the non-viral transposon system Sleeping Beauty), especially in soft-agar assay to exclude potential tumorigenicity.
Mohit, Master student
Mr. Mohit is a student in Biology, working on the optimization of the retina organ culture system established in the group in terms of culture duration (>72 h) and sample size (≥8 samples/human retina). Moreover, the retina culture, which has been so far realized only in animal species, will be transferred to retinas from human donor eyes. Then, IPE and RPE cells will be transfected with the genes coding for PEDF and/or GM-CSF and co-cultured with the retina, to determine potential tumorigenicity and genotoxicity of the cell product.
Idil Oezsahin, Master student
Ms. Idil Oezsahin is a student in human medicine and master student, working on a toxicity study to determine the tolerability of two gene therapy approaches to treat neovascular and atrophic age-related macular degeneration. The objective of the project is to prepare a toxicity profile using histological, immunohistological and microscopic imaging technics.
Trong-Tin Kevin Steve Vo, Master student
Mr. Trong-Tin Kevin Steve Vo is a student in human medicine and master student, participating in two clinical studies, which aim to 1) identify biomarker patterns in multi-omic profiles from tears to better diagnose active proliferative diabetic retinopathy and 2) investigate the involvement of vasculitis in the manifestation and the severity of COVID-19.
Nathan Breuillard, Master in biology, Research assistant
Mr. Nathan Breuillard, research assistant, is working on the optimization of culture of low numbers of primary pigment epithelial cells without xenogenic supplements, and will establish the culture of iPS-derived RPE cells in our laboratory.
Dr Mateusz Kecik, MD candidate
Dr. Mateusz Kecik, ophthalmologist and MD candidate, is trained in cell culture, immunohistology, biochemical analyses, and the handling of rodents. He has been trained in the quality control of gene therapeutic medicinal products in preparation of the TargetAMD clinical trial.
Robin Verlooven, MD candidate
Dr. Robin Verlooven, resident in ophthalmology and MD candidate, is trained in cell culture, immunohistology, biochemical analyses, microbiology, molecular biology and bioinformatics. His project aims to culture ocular cells without using xenogenic supplements to improve personalized Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMP) and refine our experiments following the 3R principles.