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Inherited Retinal Degeneration
Clinic and Laboratory

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Mark Pennesi, MD, PhD, FARVO, joined the Retina Foundation in 2024 as Director of the Inherited Retinal Degeneration Clinic and Laboratory.

An internationally recognized expert in inherited retinal diseases (IRDs), Dr. Pennesi brought his groundbreaking research on gene therapy, gene editing, and stem cells to Dallas with a goal of finding new innovative solutions to vision loss and expanding access to patients worldwide.
Contact Jennifer Herrera at 214-363-3911 if you are interested in being a part of our clinical studies.

When we reflected on our philanthropic goals, we realized how meaningful it would be to support a cause that could truly change lives and knew Dr. Pennesi was someone who could make a difference, not just for our family but for countless others who experience vision loss. The Retina Foundation, as a global medical destination, is leading advancements in technology that offer real hope back by science, and we’re honored to be part of the team that brought Dr. Pennesi to Dallas.”
Steve and Debbie Gray
Dr. Pennesi was the lead scientist in the clinical trial that led to the first FDA-approved gene therapy treatment for IRDs - Luxturna. He provides hope for those of us who live with an IRD and experience the daily challenges that come with vision loss. It is a huge win for our community to have him here in Dallas, and it’s an honor to support his groundbreaking research that will transform lives and bring us closer to a cure for IRD.
Tia Tomlin, former Retina Foundation Board Chair, RP patient
Inherited Retinal Degeneration

Advancements

The laboratory and clinic were established in 2024 and have already seen great advancements and impacts.
  • Established the IRD Clinic with oversight of more than 1,000 patients from across the globe.
  • Quickly launched new IRD clinical trials – currently there are 25 active trials including several gene therapy trials for Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) and Stargardt disease.
  • Helped grow clinical trial revenue by $1 million.
  • Secured joint grant funding with the Casey Eye Institute for the next generation of high-resolution OCT imaging and deep machine learning for image segmentation.
  • Launched stem cell clinical trial for RP with the potential to recover vision that has already been lost.
  • Secured funding from Crystal Charity Ball to establish a Pediatric IRD Clinic with specialized equipment to care for the children.
  • Continued gene therapy trial for X-linked RP, a severe form of the disease that makes up 15% of those with RP and Stargardt disease, the most common pediatric macular dystrophy.

Clinical Trials

Please contact us at 214-363-3911 if you are interested in being a part of our clinical studies or an appointment with Dr. Mark Pennesi.

Experts

Mark Pennesi, MD, PhD, FARVO

Kaylie Jones

Sr. Research Associate

Martin Klein

Lab Manager

Jennifer Herrera

Clinical Coordinator

Destiny Coleman

Ophthalmology Technician

Grant Koenigsman

Ophthalmology Technician

Rachel Yoken

Ophthalmic Technician

Rachel Murray

Clinical Research Coordinator

Overview:

Led by Dr. David Birch, PhD, The Rose-Silverthorne Retinal Degenerations Laboratory collaborates with global research partners to identify causes, treatments and cures for inherited eye diseases. Patients visit the lab for genetic testing and state-of-the-art assessments for visual function. The lab also conducts numerous clinical trials to determine the safety and efficacy of potential treatments for individuals with inherited eye diseases.

Advancements

Established a model for deriving photoreceptor properties from the a-wave of the electroretinogram.  This has been used in many labs to understand disease processes in retinitis pigmentosa and allied retinal degenerations.

Helped create and characterize the first model of Stargardt disease, the abca4 (abcr) knockout mouse.

Established the Southwest Eye Registry for patients with inherited retinal diseases and allied disorders.

Worked with neonatologists to identify DHA as an essential component of milk for low birthweight infants.

Led early development of the Argus II Retinal Prosthesis System to help patients who are blind due to advanced retinitis pigmentosa. When using this “bionic eye” artificial retina, patients can distinguish letters, objects, trees and much more.

Helped identify several genes associated with retinitis pigmentosa, including a new gene responsible for retinitis pigmentosa in several Hispanic families in Texas.

Established the “ellipsoid zone” as a structural measure of photoreceptor integrity. This is now being used as an outcome measure in numerous clinical trials for Inherited Retinal Degenerations.

Lead center for determining whether RPGR replacement gene therapy is safe and efficacious in x-linked retinitis pigmentosa.

Published 400 peer-reviewed articles on research findings.

Clinical Trials

Please contact Kirsten Locke at 214-363-3911 if you are interested in being a part of our clinical studies.

Experts

David Birch, PhD

Scientific Director

Kirsten Locke, CRA, FOPS

Clinical Trials Manager

Martin Klein, MS

Lab Manager

Kaylie Jones, MS

Senior Research Associate

Eric Vasquez

Clinical Research Coordinator

Jennifer Herrera

Ophthalmic Technician

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