|
Date: 27 January 2025 (Monday)
Time: 3 - 4:30pm (SGT) Format: Virtual (Zoom Meeting) Host: Adrian TEO, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Singapore Co-host: Hideyuki Okano, Keio University School of Medicine, Japan |
|
Speakers' information
Xinyi SU Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Singapore "Retinal cell therapy: progress and challenges" Pubmed |
|
ABSTRACT
Age-related retinal degenerative diseases are a leading cause of vision loss worldwide. Despite promising pre-clinical results, the clinical translation of retinal cell therapy faces significant challenges. This talk will delve into the current limitations of retinal cell transplantation and present our latest research addressing these gaps. We will discuss: (i) The unmet challenges in retinal cell therapy, including efficacy and immunogenicity concerns; (ii) Our recent findings on the molecular response of transplanted stem cell-derived retinal cells in immunocompetent hosts, shedding light on transplant biology; and (iii) The development and validation of a novel hypo-immunogenic iPSC resource for allogeneic cell therapy, leveraging humanised mouse models and immunocompetent non-human primate models. In summary, we aim to accelerate the translation of retinal stem cell therapy into a viable treatment for retinal degenerative diseases.
BIO
A/Prof Xinyi SU took on the role as Executive Director at IMCB with effect from 1 March 2024, stepping up from her previous roles as Acting Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director (Strategy and Transformation) at IMCB.
A/Prof Su, an A*STAR scholar, graduated with MB BChir PhD from the University of Cambridge (UK) and joined IMCB in 2016 as a clinician-scientist. She balances her time leading a broad retinal research program as Research Director at IMCB, while providing clinical leadership as Senior Consultant, Vitreo-Retinal Surgeon at the National University Hospital. A/Prof Su also holds joint appointments as Research Director at the Department of Ophthalmology (NUS), Co-Director at the Centre of Innovation and Precision Eye Health (NUS), and Clinician-Scientist at the Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI).
Her research interests focus on harnessing biomaterial, regenerative stem-cell, and nucleic acid technologies for the treatment of age-related retinal degenerative disease. Her research has been published in, inter alia, Nature Biomedical Engineering, Nature Communications, Lancet Global Health, PNAS, and Advanced Materials. She is a recipient of multiple global and national awards, including the Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology’s Young Ophthalmologist Award (2019), the Asia-Pacific Vitreo-Retinal Society Leadership Development Program Gold Award (2020), Singapore Ten Outstanding Young Persons of Singapore Award (for Medical Innovation, 2021), Susan Lim Outstanding Stem Cell Young Investigator Award (2022) and National Medical Research Council Clinician Scientist Award (2022). In 2022, she was accepted into the prestigious international membership of The Macular Society.
Passionate about clinical translation of research, A/Prof Su holds several patents and co-founded an ISO 13485 (Medical Device Quality System) accredited spin-off company, Vitreogel Innovations, focussed on developing the next generation of vitreous substitutes. Beyond research, A/Prof Su is committed to people development and has mentored numerous clinician-scientists as the Deputy Director of the Clinician-Scientist Academy at NUHS.
Age-related retinal degenerative diseases are a leading cause of vision loss worldwide. Despite promising pre-clinical results, the clinical translation of retinal cell therapy faces significant challenges. This talk will delve into the current limitations of retinal cell transplantation and present our latest research addressing these gaps. We will discuss: (i) The unmet challenges in retinal cell therapy, including efficacy and immunogenicity concerns; (ii) Our recent findings on the molecular response of transplanted stem cell-derived retinal cells in immunocompetent hosts, shedding light on transplant biology; and (iii) The development and validation of a novel hypo-immunogenic iPSC resource for allogeneic cell therapy, leveraging humanised mouse models and immunocompetent non-human primate models. In summary, we aim to accelerate the translation of retinal stem cell therapy into a viable treatment for retinal degenerative diseases.
BIO
A/Prof Xinyi SU took on the role as Executive Director at IMCB with effect from 1 March 2024, stepping up from her previous roles as Acting Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director (Strategy and Transformation) at IMCB.
A/Prof Su, an A*STAR scholar, graduated with MB BChir PhD from the University of Cambridge (UK) and joined IMCB in 2016 as a clinician-scientist. She balances her time leading a broad retinal research program as Research Director at IMCB, while providing clinical leadership as Senior Consultant, Vitreo-Retinal Surgeon at the National University Hospital. A/Prof Su also holds joint appointments as Research Director at the Department of Ophthalmology (NUS), Co-Director at the Centre of Innovation and Precision Eye Health (NUS), and Clinician-Scientist at the Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI).
Her research interests focus on harnessing biomaterial, regenerative stem-cell, and nucleic acid technologies for the treatment of age-related retinal degenerative disease. Her research has been published in, inter alia, Nature Biomedical Engineering, Nature Communications, Lancet Global Health, PNAS, and Advanced Materials. She is a recipient of multiple global and national awards, including the Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology’s Young Ophthalmologist Award (2019), the Asia-Pacific Vitreo-Retinal Society Leadership Development Program Gold Award (2020), Singapore Ten Outstanding Young Persons of Singapore Award (for Medical Innovation, 2021), Susan Lim Outstanding Stem Cell Young Investigator Award (2022) and National Medical Research Council Clinician Scientist Award (2022). In 2022, she was accepted into the prestigious international membership of The Macular Society.
Passionate about clinical translation of research, A/Prof Su holds several patents and co-founded an ISO 13485 (Medical Device Quality System) accredited spin-off company, Vitreogel Innovations, focussed on developing the next generation of vitreous substitutes. Beyond research, A/Prof Su is committed to people development and has mentored numerous clinician-scientists as the Deputy Director of the Clinician-Scientist Academy at NUHS.
|
Tadao MAEDA
VCCT Inc, Japan "iPSC-derived retinal cell in regenerative medicine: current progress and future prospective" Pubmed |
|
ABSTRACT
Regenerative medicine is a field of great hope for patients suffering from diseases that currently lack effective treatments. In ophthalmology, iPSC-regenerative medicine has taken the lead in clinical applications due to its unique advantages.
Particularly, retinal degeneration is known to be a major cause of blindness in modern society. Key retinal degeneration includes age-related macular degeneration (AMD), where abnormalities in the retina caused by aging can lead to blindness, and retinitis pigmentosa (RP), a retinal dystrophy caused by genetic abnormalities. Currently, there is no established curative treatment for these degenerative retinal conditions. Thus, retinal regenerative medicine using iPSCs has been recognized as an important unmet medical need.
Recent clinical studies have demonstrated a certain degree of safety and efficacy in the transplantation of iPSC-derived retinal pigment epithelial (iPSC-RPE) cells for retinal degeneration caused by RPE dysfunction, such as AMD, as well as retinal organoid transplantation for retinitis pigmentosa. Based on these achievements, global efforts are underway to prepare for the next clinical studies, focusing on improving therapeutic effects and expanding indications.
Moving forward, steady progress toward the practical application of regenerative medicine for retinal degeneration is anticipated through strengthened international collaboration across various research, clinical, and regulatory domains.
BIO
Dr. Tadao Maeda is a distinguished Research Development Manager with over 20 years of experience in the biotechnology company and academia in the field of retinal regenerative medicine. Leveraging his extensive expertise in ophthalmology and molecular biology, Dr. Maeda has made significant contributions to the development and clinical application of iPSC-based therapies for retinal degeneration, including age-related macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa. His career has been dedicated to addressing these unmet medical needs through innovative research and leadership in clinical translation.
Regenerative medicine is a field of great hope for patients suffering from diseases that currently lack effective treatments. In ophthalmology, iPSC-regenerative medicine has taken the lead in clinical applications due to its unique advantages.
Particularly, retinal degeneration is known to be a major cause of blindness in modern society. Key retinal degeneration includes age-related macular degeneration (AMD), where abnormalities in the retina caused by aging can lead to blindness, and retinitis pigmentosa (RP), a retinal dystrophy caused by genetic abnormalities. Currently, there is no established curative treatment for these degenerative retinal conditions. Thus, retinal regenerative medicine using iPSCs has been recognized as an important unmet medical need.
Recent clinical studies have demonstrated a certain degree of safety and efficacy in the transplantation of iPSC-derived retinal pigment epithelial (iPSC-RPE) cells for retinal degeneration caused by RPE dysfunction, such as AMD, as well as retinal organoid transplantation for retinitis pigmentosa. Based on these achievements, global efforts are underway to prepare for the next clinical studies, focusing on improving therapeutic effects and expanding indications.
Moving forward, steady progress toward the practical application of regenerative medicine for retinal degeneration is anticipated through strengthened international collaboration across various research, clinical, and regulatory domains.
BIO
Dr. Tadao Maeda is a distinguished Research Development Manager with over 20 years of experience in the biotechnology company and academia in the field of retinal regenerative medicine. Leveraging his extensive expertise in ophthalmology and molecular biology, Dr. Maeda has made significant contributions to the development and clinical application of iPSC-based therapies for retinal degeneration, including age-related macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa. His career has been dedicated to addressing these unmet medical needs through innovative research and leadership in clinical translation.