Website University of Bristol
Project Overview:
Gene therapy is transforming the treatment of sight-threatening diseases. One gene therapy is already approved for the treatment of a blinding inherited retinal dystrophy, while several others are in advanced clinical trial for common conditions such as age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. These innovative treatments use engineered adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors to deliver therapeutic transgenes into the retina.
However, a key challenge remains as the ocular immune response to AAV could lead to harmful inflammation, which needs to be controlled to improve long-term efficacy and safety. Emerging evidence suggests the risk and severity of gene therapy-associated uveitis (GTAU) vary depending on the underlying retinal disease. Therefore, there is a need to define disease-specific ocular environment and immune responses to develop strategies to prevent GTAU.
In this project you will investigate the immune response to AAV using a model that mimics the patient population we seek to treat. Through characterisation of the disease specific immune response, and defining the long-term immune changes in ocular tissues, you will help develop tailored immunomodulatory strategies to improve clinical outcomes and support the safe expansion of gene therapy.
The project will be jointly supervised by Dr Dave Copland (Bristol) and A/Prof Kanmin Xue (Oxford), with collaborative input from world-leaders in the field across Bristol, Oxford, UCL and internationally. For further information and informal enquiries, please contact dave.copland@bristol.ac.uk
Aims & Objectives:
Our recent work has shown that AAV causes inflammation in the eyes of healthy animals, which can be long lasting. We have also seen that age or retinal degeneration can alter the inflammatory response. Our goal is to improve safety and success of gene therapies for eye disease by understanding which cells, and how the genes they express contribute to AAV inflammation:
1. Understand long-term changes in the eye following AAV treatment: Identify which immune cells remain in the eye, where they are located and explore how gene expression is changed within the ocular tissue and immune cells that persist in the eye.
2. Studying how disease background (such as diabetes) can alter the immune response to AAV: Compare immune cell populations in the eyes of healthy and diabetic mice treated with AAV via different administration methods. This will help us evaluate the safest route to minimise inflammation.
3. Evaluate immunomodulatory compounds to overcome harmful immune responses.
The project bridges ophthalmology, immunology and translational science and offers a unique opportunity to work where fundamental discovery meets meaningful clinical impact.
Training Environment:
Joint supervision between University of Bristol and the University of Oxford, offers world-class facilities and complementary expertise.
• At University of Bristol, the primary base of the PhD studentship, the student will be trained in preclinical ocular disease models, flow cytometry and advanced imaging of the eye with Dr Copland and the Ophthalmology Inflammation Research group.
• At University of Oxford, under A/Prof Xue, the student will gain formal bioinformatics training Oxford Biomedical Data Science Training Programme — MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine
• Additional training opportunities in advanced imaging techniques will be provided with collaborator Dr Colin Chu at University College London (https://colinchulab.com/).
The student will join an active and supportive interdisciplinary team, attend international conferences such as ARVO, and receive full training in cutting-edge laboratory and computational techniques.
Candidate Requirements:
We welcome applicants with backgrounds in biomedical sciences, immunology, neuroscience, or related fields. Prior experience in flow cytometry, confocal microscopy, or animal models would be advantageous but not essential, full training will be provided. Curiosity, resilience, and enthusiasm for translational science are essential.
The student will work jointly between Bristol and Oxford (all required travel will be funded by the project), forming part of a Vision Research Network.
How to apply:
Submit your application via the University of Bristol portal: Start your application | Study at Bristol | University of Bristol. Search for then select ‘Cellular and Molecular Medicine (PhD)’. Click ‘Apply’ for September 2026 start.
Before applying, please check the entry requirements for the programme.
Funding Notes
Funder: Fight For Sight UK Vision Research Network Doctoral Training Programme.
This project is available for a 4-year PhD, for UK and international students. The studentship duration is four years, and it includes an annual stipend set at the current UKRI recommendation of £19,237. Tuition fees and research costs are fully supported by the studentship. [If applicable – Overseas candidates (including EU) will need to cover the difference between overseas and UK home fees, alongside any costs for moving to the UK, including student visa and healthcare surcharge if applicable.]
Want fewer missed deadlines?
Follow a channel you care about (Graduate → Post-PhD).