125th Anniversary Scholarship for Black British Researchers - Peptide Therapeutics for Fibrosis: A Cross-Disease Strategy for Glaucoma and Keloid Treatment

Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide (2.4% of people). The disease arises from the fibrosis of the trabecular meshwork, a filter-like tissue that sits in the anterior chamber of the eye. As the pores within this tissue reduce in size and compliance, the pressure within the eye increases, ultimately resulting in damage to the optic nerve and blindness. The progression of the disease is insidious, with few apparent symtpoms up to the point of blindness. At present, the fibrosis within the trabecular meshwork is irreversible and treatments revolve around the use of drugs (e.g. latanaprost) that increase liquid outflow, thereby reducing pressure. All existing therapies, however, have significant side-effects, with significant influences on blood pressure and other aspects of cardiovascular health. Glaucoma disproportionately affects black patients, with the occurrence of the disease in black African populations being reported at 4.0%. At present there is no explanation for this increased risk. 

Another condition that disproportionately affects black patients is healing via the formation of raised keloid scars, which occur in black people at approximately twenty times the rate that they do in other races. Keloids are large, raised growths of tissue on the skin's-surface, which are disfiguring and can also significantly limit movement and other physical function. Even the most minor skin damage (e.g. injection) can result in the formation of a keloid scar, which occur as a consequence of the over-production of collagen in the skin. Like glaucoma, keloid formation arises following abberations in the fibrotic pathway. Importantly, patients that form keloid scars are identified early in life, due to the external manifestations of the disease. Despite the similarities in the underlying causes of the disease, as yet no-one has investigated whether there might be a correlation between keloid formation and glaucoma. If a link can be established, due to the external appearance and early development of keloids, it is possible that keloid formation could be used as a marker to screen patients for glaucoma, with the possibility of treating prior to irreversible fibrosis in the trabecular meshwork.

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The University of Birmingham is proud to celebrate its remarkable 125-year journey and announce the launch of a groundbreaking scholarship initiative designed to empower and support Black British researchers in their pursuit of doctoral education.

These newly established 3.5-year scholarships aim to address underrepresentation and create opportunities for talented individuals from diverse backgrounds to excel in academia. You can find out more here: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/research/funding/black-british-researchers-scholarship

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