Contact information

Collaborators

Robert MacLaren

Professor of Ophthalmology

Michelle McClements

BSc (Hons), PhD

Senior Postdoctoral Research Scientist

Michelle is an experienced research scientist with over 15 years’ expertise in molecular biology and gene therapy developments for the treatment of inherited retinal diseases. Since joining Professor MacLaren’s group in 2010 as a Knoop Junior Fellow at St Cross College, she has led significant projects, including an MRC-funded study developing a dual vector treatment for Stargardt disease. Building on this foundation, Michelle now oversees the group’s research pipeline, coordinating project development and ensuring strategic alignment with broader research goals. She plays a key role in mentoring PhD students and fostering a collaborative environment to drive innovation in CRISPR-based molecular tools and the development of retinal organoid platforms for screening and validating gene therapies.

Key publications

Mirtron-mediated RNA knockdown/replacement therapy for the treatment of dominant retinitis pigmentosa

Orlans HO. et al, (2021), Nature Communications, 12

Therapy Approaches for Stargardt Disease

Piotter E. et al, (2021), Biomolecules, 11, 1179 - 1179

Analysis of Pathogenic Variants Correctable With CRISPR Base Editing Among Patients With Recessive Inherited Retinal Degeneration

Fry LE. et al, (2021), JAMA Ophthalmology, 139, 319 - 319

Long-term restoration of visual function in end-stage retinal degeneration using subretinal human melanopsin gene therapy

De Silva SR. et al, (2017), Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 114, 11211 - 11216

Codon-Optimized RPGR Improves Stability and Efficacy of AAV8 Gene Therapy in Two Mouse Models of X-Linked Retinitis Pigmentosa

Fischer MD. et al, (2017), Molecular Therapy, 25, 1854 - 1865

Function of human pluripotent stem cell-derived photoreceptor progenitors in blind mice

Barnea-Cramer AO. et al, (2016), Scientific Reports, 6

CRISPR targeting of SNPs associated with age-related macular degeneration in ARPE-19 cells: a potential model for manipulating the complement system

Salman A. et al, (2025), Gene Therapy, 32, 132 - 141

Single-cell transcriptomic analysis of retinal immune regulation and blood-retinal barrier function during experimental autoimmune uveitis

Quinn J. et al, (2024), Scientific Reports, 14

CRISPR targeting of SNPs associated with Age-related Macular Degeneration in ARPE-19 cells: a potential model for manipulating the complement system

Salman A. et al, (2024)

Rescue of cone and rod photoreceptor function in a CDHR1-model of age-related retinal degeneration

Yusuf IH. et al, (2024), Molecular Therapy, 32, 1445 - 1460

CRISPR Manipulation of Age-Related Macular Degeneration Haplotypes in the Complement System: Potential Future Therapeutic Applications/Avenues

Salman A. et al, (2024), International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 25, 1697 - 1697

Programmable RNA editing with endogenous ADAR enzymes – a feasible option for the treatment of inherited retinal disease?

Bellingrath J-S. et al, (2023), Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience, 16

A Review of CRISPR Tools for Treating Usher Syndrome: Applicability, Safety, Efficiency, and In Vivo Delivery.

Major L. et al, (2023), Int J Mol Sci, 24

Erratum: Enhancement of Adeno-Associated Virus-Mediated Gene Therapy Using Hydroxychloroquine in Murine and Human Tissues.

Chandler LC. et al, (2023), Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev, 28

Future Perspectives of Prime Editing for the Treatment of Inherited Retinal Diseases.

Hansen S. et al, (2023), Cells, 12

Impaired glutamylation of RPGR ORF15 underlies the cone-dominated phenotype associated with truncating distal ORF15 variants

Cehajic-Kapetanovic J. et al, (2022), Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 119

Minicircle Delivery to the Neural Retina as a Gene Therapy Approach

Staurenghi F. et al, (2022), International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23, 11673 - 11673

Envisioning the development of a CRISPR-Cas mediated base editing strategy for a patient with a novel pathogenic CRB1 single nucleotide variant.

Bellingrath J-S. et al, (2022), Ophthalmic Genet, 43, 661 - 670

New CRISPR Tools to Correct Pathogenic Mutations in Usher Syndrome.

Major L. et al, (2022), Int J Mol Sci, 23

Non-Viral Delivery of CRISPR/Cas Cargo to the Retina Using Nanoparticles: Current Possibilities, Challenges, and Limitations

Salman A. et al, (2022), Pharmaceutics, 14, 1842 - 1842

More publications

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Contact information

Collaborators

Robert MacLaren

Michelle McClements

Key publications

Mirtron-mediated RNA knockdown/replacement therapy for the treatment of dominant retinitis pigmentosa

Therapy Approaches for Stargardt Disease

Analysis of Pathogenic Variants Correctable With CRISPR Base Editing Among Patients With Recessive Inherited Retinal Degeneration

Optogenetic Gene Therapy for the Degenerate Retina: Recent Advances

Promoter Orientation within an AAV-CRISPR Vector Affects Cas9 Expression and Gene Editing Efficiency

Assessment of AAV Dual Vector Safety in the Abca4−/− Mouse Model of Stargardt Disease

An AAV Dual Vector Strategy Ameliorates the Stargardt Phenotype in Adult Abca4 −/− Mice