Robert MacLaren and Robin Ali
This profile was originally published as part of the MRC Annual Review 06/07: People behind discovery. The review tells the stories of just a handful of MRC scientists, the work they do and the career paths they have chosen. It is available for reference purposes only.
Name: Robin Ali
Education: Undergraduate and PhD at University College London
Awards: 2001 Sir Jules Thorn Award for Biomedical Research
Current job title: Professor of Human Molecular Genetics
Time in current position: 5 years
Field of research: Development of gene and cell therapies for the treatment of eye disease Ambition To make a real difference to patients with visual impairment
Name: Robert MacLaren
Born: 14 November 1966 in Epsom, Surrey
Education: MB ChB, University of Edinburgh; DPhil, University of Oxford
Family: Married with three children: William (3), Imogen (2) and Edward (6 months)
Awards: 2007 King James IV Professorship of Surgery, 2005 Oxford Ophthalmological Congress Founder’s Cup and Medal, 2005 Royal Society of Medicine Prize Meeting in Ophthalmology
Current job title: Clinician Scientist and Honorary Consultant
Career highlight: Helping perform the world’s first retinal gene therapy treatment
Profile Robin Ali, Institute of Ophthalmology, London
“My undergraduate degree in genetics was followed by a PhD and postdoctoral research that used genetic technology to develop models of various disorders in mice. Since joining the University College London Institute of Ophthalmology in 1994, my research has focused on eye disease and developing new treatments. I didn’t want simply to understand disease processes.
For the past five years we have become increasingly interested in testing new treatments in patients. I now feel certain that my research has a very clear aim and objective – which is to treat clinical problems – and I find that satisfying.
I enjoy having tangible milestones that we can measure ourselves against to see our progress over the past 13 years. Three highlights of my career have all come fairly recently. In 2000 I published a paper that described how we were able to use gene therapy to correct photoreceptor defects in an animal model of retinal degeneration. Last year’s Nature paper about restoring sight in blind mice using cell transplantation was another high. And at the moment we are engaged in the first clinical trial of gene therapy to treat a genetic defect that causes blindness in children.
As for the future, I’d like to build up a programme of clinical trials so that we can see more treatments – particularly cell and gene-based therapies – through to clinical application.
To people interested in medical research, particularly seeing it put into practice, I’d say that you need to have as broad a perspective as possible and have to work well with large teams of people with lots of different expertise. I think that this is crucial for success.”
Profile Robert MacLaren, Institute of Ophthalmology/Moorfields Eye Hospital
“My father was a photographer, which led me to develop an interest in vision during my childhood. Cameras are similar to eyes in many ways. Rod photoreceptors, for instance, are like the grains of emulsion which react to light on black and white film, while a cataract is similar to condensation inside a camera lens.
I studied medicine in Edinburgh, finishing house jobs in 1991, and then went on to a PhD studying retinal regeneration at Oxford, funded by an MRC Clinical Training Fellowship. After that I began clinical training in ophthalmology, finally specialising as a retinal surgeon at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London.
But in 2004 I decided to give up all clinical work to go back into the lab. I met up with Robin and started a retinal stem cell project that fitted well with my previous PhD work. My colleagues all thought I was mad, giving up a good position where I was about to become a consultant to work in a lab, initially with no salary. It was tough, but my wife was very supportive. Sometimes there’s nothing better than a life changing decision to focus the mind.
Today I divide my time between the lab and clinical practice. Treating patients with eye problems is very rewarding, but I also know that most retinal diseases are incurable. It is devastating to tell someone that nothing can be done to save their sight, but if a patient knows we’re working hard to find a cure, it makes it easier for them to deal with.
Our recent breakthrough with retinal precursor cells was a real boost and the positive publicity has given many patients hope for the future. I have had letters of support from people all over the world – for most, simply the knowledge that someone, somewhere, is working on a potential treatment means that they are not facing their blindness alone.
Clinical practice is very much based on evidence or established treatments, often with little room for imaginative thought. With clinical research, however, you can really let your mind fly. It is very creative and you can shape the future.”
Published August 2007