PROJECT 9
Multimodal imaging of retinal perfusion
Why?
Glaucoma is a neurodegenerative disease of the optic nerve and the most common cause of irreversible blindness. Retinal function of glaucoma patients can be tested reliably in early but not in advanced stages of disease. The aim of the project is to elucidate the pathomechanisms of loss of microvascular function at different stages of glaucoma and to produce an accurate multimodal model of retinal microvascular function as well as a retinal perfusion based predictive risk and prognosis indicator for Glaucoma.
How?
A combined approach of static and dynamic vessel analysis as well as measurements of intraocular pressure and retinal venous pressure will be applied to uncover whether the loss of vessel density/retinal perfusion/autoregulation precedes the loss of retinal ganglion cells, or vice versa. This will also give insights into potential retinal vascular function requirements for future restorative therapies.
What can you expect?
Embedded in a vibrant research environment, the candidate will gain extensive experience and expert insight into (i) clinical ophthalmic assessment including perimetry and OCT, (ii) glaucoma care and will (iii) pursue cutting-edge approaches of retinal function testing via static and dynamic vessel analysis in order to (iv) contribute to the innovation of glaucoma research and treatment. As part of an enthusiastic interdisciplinary research team you will benefit from the wide academic exchange in national and international scientific networks, including secondments to academic partners in the Netherlands and Germany.
Where?
The candidate will be located at (1) IMEDOS Health GmbH, Germany (PI: Riemer) and enrolled at the Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Germany (PI: Hoffmann) known for its large, active neuroscience community and (2) in the Department of Ophthalmology of the UMCG of the University of Groningen, The Netherlands (PI: Jansonius). Both sites have a strong focus on glaucoma and the investigation of structure and function in eye diseases.
Who are we looking for?
You are exceptionally motivated to pursue a career in neuroscience and have a great interest in clinical and basic vision science. Strong programming skills (e.g. Python, PsychoPy, R, MatLab) and experience with quantitative neuroscience are essential requirements. Experience in systematic data-acquisition in human neuroscience is a plus. Candidates with a background in vision science, neuroscience, neuroimaging, experimental psychology, ophthalmology, biology, physiology, physics, or related areas will be considered.
References
- Al-Nosairy KO, Prabhakaran G, Pappelis K, Thieme H, Hoffmann MB (2020). Combined multi-modal assessment of glaucomatous damage with electroretinography and optical coherence tomography/angiography. TVST 9.12.7
- Al-Nosairy KO, Thieme H, Hoffmann MB (2020). Diagnostic performance of multifocal photopic negative response, pattern electroretinogram and optical coherence tomography in glaucoma. Experimental Eye Research 200: 108242
- Al Nosairy K, Hoffmann MB, Bach M (2021). Non-invasive electrophysiology in glaucoma, structure and function – a review.
Eye 35:2374-2385 - Müller F, Al-Nosairy KO, Kramer FH, Meltendorf C, Djouoma N, Thieme H, Hoffmann MB, Hoffmann F (2022). Rapid campimetry – a novel screening method for glaucoma diagnosis. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 11: 2156