Symposia
(all times shown are MT)
Sunday, May 4
8 - 10am
Extracellular vesicles in the eye: Mechanisms, biomarkers and therapeutics
Speaker(s): Belinda J. Hernandez; Elmira Jalilian; Mehrnoosh Ghiam; Sanjoy Bhattacharya; Sun Young Lee; Mikael Klingeborn
Description:
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small membrane-bound vesicles that are released by most cells in the body and are present in all body fluids. EVs contain a mix of proteins, nucleic acids, and metabolites that are characteristic of the cell from which they are derived. It is well established that EVs are a major form of cell-to-cell communication. In addition, EVs are now recognized as an important source of biomarkers for certain human diseases. As such, there has been a sharp increase in studies focusing on the potential use of EVs isolated from tear and intraocular fluids as potential biomarkers for ocular and systemic diseases. Similarly, due to the unique composition of their cargo, EVs are also being investigated for their ability to treat and/or prevent ocular disease. This symposium will highlight recent work that is being done to investigate the role of EVs in eye disease, along with their use as ocular biomarkers and therapeutics. Experts have been assembled from all aspects of vision research to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of our knowledge on EVs in the eye and the potential challenges that exist with respect to their translation to clinical practice. Deepening our understanding of EV biology will help to foster innovation in this cutting-edge field.
Immunogenetic drivers of precision therapy in ocular disease
Speaker(s): Shilpa Kodati; Rob Hufnagel; Dan Kastner; Isaac Harley; Ruth Napier; Bill Harbour; Bruce Ksander
Description:
Recent advances in understanding the genetic drivers of ocular diseases have paved the way for the development of precision therapies that hold the potential to significantly improve patient outcomes. This event will explore the critical connections between genetic mutations, immune responses, and disease manifestations, setting the stage for cutting-edge treatments. The symposium will begin by examining the genetic foundations of ocular inflammatory diseases, including both monogenic and polygenic autoinflammatory conditions, and explore how these insights can inform treatment strategies. This will be followed by a deep dive into the roles of somatic mosaicism in driving inflammation and guiding therapy for patients with rare diseases. The program will then transition to a broader exploration of the genetic overlap between autoimmune conditions, revealing shared mechanisms and therapeutic opportunities, particularly in uveitis. Next, the symposium will spotlight Blau syndrome, illustrating how a bedside-to-bench approach has led to a deeper mechanistic understanding and new therapeutic directions for this complex inflammatory disease. The event will culminate with discussions on the immunogenetics of uveal melanoma, including the latest advances in immunotherapy and the application of genetically-targeted immune therapies in ocular melanoma. Through this thematic flow, attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of how genetic research is driving the future of precision immunotherapy in vision-threatening ocular diseases.
Innovating vision science and ophthalmology with generative AI and foundation models
Speaker(s): James Zhou; Ching-Yu Cheng; Ursula Schmidt-Erfurth; Tien Yin Wong; Michael Chiang; Russell N. Van Gelder
Description:
As generative artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly evolves, its applications in biomedicine research and healthcare are expanding. This symposium explores the latest advancements in generative AI and multimodal foundation models, including large language models (LLMs) and vision language models (VLMs), and showcases their transformative impact on scientific research and clinical care. With cutting-edge developments in deep learning algorithms and next-generation Transformer models, generative AI now offers highly accurate and in-depth analysis of biological data and ocular images, and has enhanced early disease detection, diagnosis precision, and personalized treatment planning. Advanced models, such as multimodal generative AI systems, can integrate data from various sources, including imaging, genetics, and electronic health records, to offer comprehensive insights into complex disease conditions. Furthermore, LLMs can assist in generating comprehensive medical reports, extracting essential information from textual data, and enhancing the overall efficiency and quality of patient care in clinics. In this symposium, we will explore the foundations of generative AI, discuss their state-of-the-art advancements, and highlight innovative applications in vision science and ophthalmology from bench research to clinical practice.
Thursday, May 8
8 - 10am
Implementation science in ophthalmology: Bridging research and practice
Speaker(s): Lisa Jane Keay; Rupesh Agrawal; Pearse Keane; Mingguang He; Vishali Gupta; Michael Chiang
Description:
This symposium will explore the pivotal role that implementation science plays in bridging the gap between ophthalmological research and clinical practice. Implementation science is essential for ensuring that the latest research findings, innovative technologies, and evidence-based interventions are effectively integrated into everyday clinical settings. This session will delve into the multifaceted challenges that can impede the adoption of new practices in ophthalmology, such as resistance to change, regulatory hurdles, resource constraints, and the complexities of training and patient engagement. To address these challenges, the symposium will focus on a range of strategies and approaches designed to facilitate the successful implementation of these interventions. Central to the discussion will be the role of digital technology, which has the potential to transform ophthalmic care through innovations like AI-driven diagnostic tools, telemedicine platforms, and cloud-based solutions that enhance data management and accessibility. The session will also highlight the importance of cloud computing and generative AI, which are increasingly being used to support large-scale data analysis, streamline workflows, and improve the precision and efficiency of clinical decision-making in ophthalmology. Additionally, the symposium will examine the integration of implementation science into ophthalmic education, demonstrating how educational programs can be structured to incorporate evidence-based practices and prepare future clinicians for the challenges of a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape. Finally, the session will explore the practical aspects of implementing new tools and technologies in specialist outpatient clinics, where the effective adoption of these innovations can significantly improve patient outcomes. By providing a comprehensive overview of these topics, the symposium aims to equip participants with the knowledge and tools they need to successfully translate research into practice, ultimately enhancing the quality of care in the field of ophthalmology.
Innovating breakthroughs in ocular gene therapy
Speaker(s): Rachel Huckfeldt; Jacque Duncan; Robert Henderson; Shannon Boye; Anthony Aldave; Patrick Yu-Wai-Man; Amy Laster
Description:
Human gene therapy clinical trials have exploded for retinal diseases and advanced to novel approaches for treating anterior segment and optic nerve diseases. Here, we discuss AAV design to suit the needs of specific diseases and tissues, advanced multimodal imaging analysis in natural history studies for improving outcome measure selection, and gene therapy applications for maculopathies, pan-retinopathies, optic nerve diseases, and corneal dystrophies. The goal of the session is to highlight first in human studies that may presage the next wave of therapeutics.