Rose-Silverthorne Retinal Degenerations
Laboratory

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.