Gelfand Receives International Retina Research Foundation Grant

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 4, 2013) − Bradley Gelfand, assistant professor in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, has received a $100,000 one-year grant from the International Retinal Research Foundation (IRRF) for his study “Iron-induced Alu RNA stability and toxicity in geographic atrophy.”

Gelfand's lab is investigating the integration of two disease causing phenomena -- iron overload and Alu RNA buildup - into one overarching model.

"The disease we are studying is geographic atrophy, which is the advanced stage of ‘dry’ age-related macular degeneration," Gelfand said. "With this research, we are hoping to provide new fundamental insights into the disease process, with the overall goal of developing new targeted therapeutics to prevent, delay or reverse blindness due to this disease that affects over 1 million Americans."

The International Retinal Research Foundation (IRRF) supports scientific research on the diseases of the human eye, especially its center, the macula, and peripheral retinal research that ultimately will accelerate the outcome of discovery.

Media contact: Ann Blackford at 859-323-6442 or ann.blackford@uky.edu