SONIC-Glaucoma: Stimulation Of Neuroprotective & Immunomodulatory Cargos via Ultrasound in Glaucoma

Supervisors:

Dr Ben Mead (Cardiff University, School of Optometry & Vision Sciences)

Dr Daniel Whitcomb (University of Bristol, School of Psychology and Neuroscience)

Project Overview

Glaucoma is a progressive eye disease that damages the optic nerve and causes irreversible blindness, affecting over 80 million people worldwide. At its core lies the gradual degeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), the neurons responsible for transmitting visual signals from the eye to the brain.

While current treatments lower intraocular pressure (IOP), the main risk factor for glaucoma, no existing therapy can directly protect or regenerate RGCs. Patients often continue to lose sight despite well-controlled IOP, underscoring a major unmet need for neuroprotective interventions.

Neurotrophic factors such as platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) have demonstrated potent neuroprotective effects in preclinical models. However, their therapeutic potential is limited by their short half-lives and the impracticality of frequent intraocular injections. Interestingly, both PDGF and BDNF are naturally abundant in blood platelets and can be released within extracellular vesicles (EVs), nanoscale particles capable of crossing the blood-retinal barrier and delivering protective cargo directly to retinal tissue.

Recent research shows that focused ultrasound, a safe, non-invasive technology already used in clinical settings, can trigger platelets to release EVs into circulation. This discovery opens a new frontier in retinal therapy, one that could transform how we deliver neuroprotective treatments.

Key Research Question

Can non-invasive ultrasound safely and effectively stimulate the release of EVs from platelets, enabling the delivery of PDGF and BDNF to the retina to prevent RGC degeneration in glaucoma?

Aims and Objectives

This interdisciplinary PhD project will develop and evaluate a non-invasive, repeatable, and clinically translatable neuroprotective strategy for glaucoma.

The project will be divided into two main research objectives:

1. Develop an ultrasound protocol to trigger the release of PDGF/BDNF-rich EVs from platelets.

The student will optimise ultrasound frequency, duration, and intensity to maximise EV yield and neurotrophic content using advanced imaging and molecular analysis tools.

2. Apply the optimised ultrasound strategy in animal models of glaucoma.

The student will test whether ultrasound-triggered platelet-derived EV release can protect RGCs and preserve visual function in vivo.

This project bridges neuroscience, ophthalmology, bioengineering, and translational medicine, offering a unique opportunity to work at the interface of fundamental discovery and applied innovation.

Training Environment

This studentship is jointly supervised between Cardiff University and the University of Bristol, offering world-class facilities and complementary expertise.

• At Cardiff, the student will train in retinal biology, advanced imaging, and extracellular vesicle isolation within Dr Mead’s leading exosome and neuroprotection research group.
• At Bristol, under Dr Whitcomb, the student will gain hands-on experience in therapeutic ultrasound, neuromodulation, and biophysical data acquisition.

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, neuroscience, physiology, bioengineering, or related fields. Prior experience in cell culture, molecular biology, 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 Cardiff and Bristol (all required travel will be funded by the project), forming part of a Vision Research Network.

Duration

4 years

How to Apply

This is a cutting-edge PhD project at the heart of therapeutic innovation in ophthalmology. If you’re ready to contribute to world-leading research with real clinical impact, we’d love to hear from you. For informal inquires, please contact Dr Ben Mead (MeadB@cardiff.ac.uk). To apply, see below.

Applicants should apply to the Doctor of Philosophy in Vision Sciences with a start date of 1st October 2026. 

In the research proposal section of your application, please specify the project title and supervisors of this project and copy the project description in the text box provided. In the funding section, please select the ‘self-funding’ option and specify the title of the studentship you are applying for (Fight for Sight Studentship). Please note this is a fully funded project, selecting “self-funded” is purely for administrative purpose. Please also include:

• an up-to-date CV
• personal statement
• two references

Application deadline: June 1st

Interviews: June/July(held virtually)

Start date: 1 October 2026

Please note: the application process may close early if an unusually high volume of applications is received.