Professor Keith Martin University positionProfessor Professor Keith Martin is pleased to consider applications from prospective PhD students. DepartmentsDepartment of Clinical Neurosciences InstitutesCambridge Centre for Brain Repair Home pagehttp://www.brc.cam.ac.uk/princip... (personal home page) Research ThemesInterestsThe main goal of our group is to understand better the mechanisms of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death in glaucoma, the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. We aim to develop methods to protect RGC thus slowing the progression of glaucomatous visual loss, and ultimately to restore vision in those blind due to the disease. We have developed a novel model of glaucoma that has proven to be very useful in the investigation of glaucoma pathogenesis. The model allows RGC death to be studied both during the period of increased eye pressure and after pressure has fallen back to normal levels. We are currently exploring the pathogenesis of axonal injury in glaucoma and investigating stem cell transplantation and neurotrophic factor gene therapy as potential treatment approaches. We also have a keen interest in the role of axonal transport dysfunction in glaucoma.  Retinal transplantation of human adult retina-derived stem cells Click image to view full-size Research Focus
EquipmentConfocal microscopy Electrophysiological recording techniques Fluorescence microscopy Immunohistochemistry Microscopy Collaborators
Associated News Items
Key publicationsOsborne A, Sanderson J, Martin KR. (2018), “Neuroprotective Effects of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Platelet-Derived Growth Factor on Human Retinal Ganglion Cells.” Stem Cells Jan;36(1):65-78. doi: 10.1002/stem.2722. Epub 2017 Oct 31. PMID: 29044808 Osborne A, Wang AXZ, Tassoni A, Widdowson PS, Martin KR. (2018), “Design of a Novel Gene Therapy Construct to Achieve Sustained Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Signaling in Neurons. ” Hum Gene Ther Apr 2. doi: 10.1089/hum.2017.069. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 29466871 Pearson CS, Mencio CP, Barber AC, Martin KR, Geller HM. (2018), “Identification of a critical sulfation in chondroitin that inhibits axonal regeneration.” eLife May 15;7. pii: e37139. Weinreb RN, Liebmann JM, Martin KR, Kaufman PL, Vittitow JL. (2018), “Latanoprostene Bunod 0.024% in Subjects With Open-angle Glaucoma or Ocular Hypertension: Pooled Phase 3 Study Findings. ” J Glaucoma Jan;27(1):7-15. doi: 10.1097/IJG.0000000000000831. PMID:29194198 Chong RS, Osborne A, Conceição R, Martin KR. (2016), “Platelet-Derived Growth Factor Preserves Retinal Synapses in a Rat Model of Ocular Hypertension.” Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. Mar 1;57(3):842-52. doi: 10.1167/iovs.15-17864. PMID: 26934142 Medeiros FA, Martin KR, Peace J, Scassellati Sforzolini B, Vittitow JL, Weinreb RN. (2016), “Comparison of Latanoprostene Bunod 0.024% and Timolol Maleate 0.5% in Open-Angle Glaucoma or Ocular Hypertension: the LUNAR Study.” Am J Ophthalmol Aug;168:250-9. doi: 10.1016/j.ajo.2016.05.012. Epub 2016 May 20. PMID: 27210275 Garway-Heath DF, Crabb DP, Bunce C, Lascaratos G, Amalfitano F, Anand N, Azuara-Blanco A, Bourne RR, Broadway DC, Cunliffe IA, Diamond JP, Fraser SG, Ho TA, Martin KR, McNaught AI, Negi A, Patel K, Russell RA, Shah A, Spry PG, Suzuki K, White ET, Wormald RP, Xing W, Zeyen TG. (2015), “Latanoprost for open-angle glaucoma (UKGTS): a randomised, multicentre, placebo-controlled trial.” Lancet Apr 4;385(9975):1295-304. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(14)62111-5. Epub 2014 Dec 19. PMID: 25533656 Keenan J, Shahid H, Bourne RR, White AJ, Martin KR. (2015), “Cambridge community Optometry Glaucoma Scheme.” Clin Experiment Ophthalmol Apr;43(3):221-7. doi: 10.1111/ceo.12398. Epub 2014 Sep 23. PMID: 25070417 Lorber B, Chew DJ, Hauck SM, Chong RS, Fawcett JW, Martin KR. (2015), “Retinal glia promote dorsal root ganglion axon regeneration.” PLoS One Mar 27;10(3):e0115996. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0115996. PMID: 25816134 Tassoni A, Gutteridge A, Barber AC, Osborne A, Martin KR. (2015), “Molecular Mechanisms Mediating Retinal Reactive Gliosis Following Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation. ” Stem Cells Oct;33(10):3006-16. doi: 10.1002/stem.2095. Epub 2015 Jul 29. PMID: 26175331 Bull ND, Irvine KA, Franklin RJ, Martin KR (2009), “Transplanted oligodendrocyte precursor cells reduce neurodegeneration in a model of glaucoma.” Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 50(9):4244-53 Details Beirowski B, Babetto E, Coleman MP, Martin KR (2008), “The WldS gene delays axonal but not somatic degeneration in a rat glaucoma model.” Eur J Neurosci 28(6):1166-79 Details Johnson TV, Martin KR (2008), “Development and characterization of an adult retinal explant organotypic tissue culture system as an in vitro intraocular stem cell transplantation model.” Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 49(8):3503-12 Details Publications2018Prea SM, Kong YXG, Mehta A, He M, Crowston JG, Gupta V, Martin KR, Vingrys AJ. (2018), “Six-month longitudinal comparison of a portable tablet perimeter with the Humphrey Field Analyser.” Am J Ophthalmol Epub ahead of print] PMID:29550190 Ratican SE, Osborne A, Martin KR. (2018), “Progress in Gene Therapy to Prevent Retinal Ganglion Cell Loss in Glaucoma and Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy.” Neural Plast. PMID: 29853847 Than JYL, Al-Mugheiry TS, Gale J, Martin KR (2018), “Factors predicting the success of trabeculectomy bleb enhancement with needling.” Br J Ophthalmol. Feb 9. pii: bjophthalmol-2017-311348. doi: 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2017-311348. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 29440041 2017Anderson AJ, Bedggood PA, George Kong YX, Martin KR, Vingrys AJ (2017), “Can Home Monitoring Allow Earlier Detection of Rapid Visual Field Progression in Glaucoma?” Ophthalmology Dec;124(12):1735-1742 Barber A, Farmer K, Martin KR, Smith PD. (2017), “Retinal regeneration mechanisms linked to multiple cancer molecules: A therapeutic conundrum.” Prog Retin Eye Res Jan;56:19-31. doi: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2016.08.003. Epub 2016 Aug 30. PMID: 27586058 Khatib TZ, Martin KR. (2017), “Protecting retinal ganglion cells” Eye Feb;31(2):218-224. doi: 10.1038/eye.2016.299. Epub 2017 Jan 13. PMID: 28085136 Kwon HJ, Kong YX, Tao LW, Lim LL, Martin KR, Green C, Ruddle J, Crowston JG. (2017), “Surgical outcomes of trabeculectomy and glaucoma drainage implant for uveitic glaucoma and relationship with uveitis activity.” Clin Exp Ophthalmol Jul;45(5):472-480. doi: 10.1111/ceo.12916. Epub 2017 Feb 27. PMID: 28134460 Nesaratnam N, Thomas PBM, Kirollos R, Vingrys AJ, Kong GYX, Martin KR. (2017), “Tablets at the bedside - iPad-based visual field test used in the diagnosis of Intrasellar Haemangiopericytoma.” BMC Ophthalmol. Apr 24;17(1):53. doi: 10.1186/s12886-017-0445-z. 2016Foxton R, Osborne A, Martin KR, Ng YS, Shima DT. (2016), “Distal retinal ganglion cell axon transport loss and activation of p38 MAPK stress pathway following VEGF-A antagonism” Cell Death Dis. May 5;7:e2212. doi: 10.1038/cddis.2016.110. PMID: 27148685 Lorber B, Hsiao WK, Martin KR (2016), “Three-dimensional printing of the retina. ” Curr Opin Ophthalmol. May;27(3):262-7. doi: 10.1097/ICU.0000000000000252. PMID: 27045545 Skalicky SE, McAlinden C, Khatib T, Anthony LM, Sim SY, Martin KR, Goldberg I, McCluskey P. (2016), “Activity Limitation in Glaucoma: Objective Assessment by the Cambridge Glaucoma Visual Function Test. ” Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci Nov 1;57(14):6158-6166. doi: 10.1167/iovs.16-19458. PMID: 27835712 Weinreb RN, Leung CK, Crowston JG, Medeiros FA, Friedman DS, Wiggs JL, Martin KR. (2016), “Primary open-angle glaucoma. ” Nature Review Disease Primers Sep 22;2:16067. doi: 10.1038/nrdp.2016.67. PMID: 27654570 2015Chong RS, Martin KR. (2015), “Glial cell interactions and glaucoma.” Curr Opin Ophthalmol Mar;26(2):73-7. doi: 10.1097/ICU.0000000000000125. PMID: 25490529 Garway-Heath DF, Bunce C, Broadway DC, Martin KR, Lascaratos G, Wormald RP. (2015), “Latanoprost for glaucoma: primum non nocere. ” Lancet Aug 15;386(9994):652. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(15)61500-8. PMID: 26334156 Heller JP, Kwok JC, Vecino E, Martin KR, Fawcett JW (2015), “A Method for the Isolation and Culture of Adult Rat Retinal Pigment Epithelial (RPE) Cells to Study Retinal Diseases. ” Front Cell Neurosci. Nov 20;9:449. doi: 10.3389/fncel.2015.00449. eCollection 2015. PMID: 26635529 Heller JP, Kwok JC, Vecino E, Martin KR, Fawcett JW. (2015), “A Method for the Isolation and Culture of Adult Rat Retinal Pigment Epithelial (RPE) Cells to Study Retinal Diseases.” Front Cell Neurosci. Nov 20;9:449. doi: 10.3389/fncel.2015.00449. eCollection 2015.PMID: 26635529 Jackson DJ, Razai MS, Falama R, Mongwa M, Mutapanduwa M, Baemisi C, Josiah E, Nkomazana O, Lehasa A, Brealey E, White AJ, Jankowski D, Kerr-Muir MG, Martin KR, Ngondi JM. (2015), “The clinical characteristics of patients with glaucoma presenting to Botswana healthcare facilities: an observational study. ” BMJ Open Dec 3;4(12):e005965. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2014-005965. PMID: 25472657 Nesaratnam N, Sarkies N, Martin KR, Shahid H. (2015), “Pre-operative intraocular pressure does not influence outcome of trabeculectomy surgery: a retrospective cohort study. ” BMC Ophthalmol. Mar 5;15(1):17. doi: 10.1186/s12886-015-0007-1.PMID: 25884298 Razai MS, Jackson DJ, Falama R, Mongwa M, Mutapanduwa MG, Baemisi C, Josiah E, Nkomazana O, Lehasa A, Brealey E, Jankowski D, White AJ, Kerr Muir MG, Martin KR, Ngondi JM. (2015), “The Capacity of Eye Care Services for Patients with Glaucoma in Botswana.” Ophthalmic Epidemiol 22(6):403-8. doi: 10.3109/09286586.2015.1010689. Epub 2015 Jul 21. PMID: 26196853 Skalicky SE, Fenwick E, Martin KR, Crowston J, Goldberg I, McCluskey P. (2015), “Impact of age-related macular degeneration in patients with glaucoma: understanding the patients' perspective. ” Clin Experiment Ophthalmol. Jul;44(5):377-87. doi: 10.1111/ceo.12672. Epub 2016 Jan 26. PMID: 26482212 Skalicky SE, Martin KR, Fenwick E, Crowston JG, Goldberg I, McCluskey P. (2015), “Cataract and quality of life in patients with glaucoma.” Clin Experiment Ophthalmol. May-Jun;43(4):335-41. doi: 10.1111/ceo.12454. Epub 2014 Oct 30. PMID: 25294739 Vecino E, Heller JP, Veiga-Crespo P, Martin KR, Fawcett JW. (2015), “Influence of extracellular matrix components on the expression of integrins and regeneration of adult retinal ganglion cells. ” PLoS One May 27;10(5):e0125250. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0125250. eCollection 2015.PMID: 26018803 White AJ, Heller JP, Leung J, Tassoni A, Martin KR. (2015), “Retinal ganglion cell neuroprotection by an angiotensin II blocker in an ex vivo retinal explant model. ” J Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone Syst. Dec;16(4):1193-201. doi: 10.1177/1470320314566018. Epub 2015 Jan 26. PMID: 25628311 2014Heller JP, Martin KR (2014), “Enhancing RPE Cell-Based Therapy Outcomes for AMD: The Role of Bruch's Membrane. ” Transl Vis Sci Technol. Jul 3;3(3):11. eCollection 2014 Jun. PMID: 25068093 Hyatt AJ, Wang D, van Oterendorp C, Fawcett JW, Martin KR (2014), “Mesenchymal stromal cells integrate and form longitudinally-aligned layers when delivered to injured spinal cord via a novel fibrin scaffold.” Neurosci Lett 569:12-7 Details Johnson TV, Martin KR, Tomarev SI (2014), “Reply: Platelet-derived growth factor-BB may be involved in mesenchymal stem cell secretome-induced neuroprotection of retinal ganglion cells.” Brain 137(Pt 5):e277 Details 2013Fraser CL, White AJ, Plant GT, Martin KR (2013), “Optic nerve cupping and the neuro-ophthalmologist.” J Neuroophthalmol 33(4):377-89 Details Johnson TV, Dekorver NW, Levasseur VA, Osborne A, Tassoni A, Lorber B, Heller JP, Villasmil R, Bull ND, Martin KR, Tomarev SI (2013), “Identification of retinal ganglion cell neuroprotection conferred by platelet-derived growth factor through analysis of the mesenchymal stem cell secretome.” Brain Details Johnson TV, Martin KR (2013), “Cell transplantation approaches to retinal ganglion cell neuroprotection in glaucoma.” Curr Opin Pharmacol 13(1):78-82 Details Lorber B, Hsiao WK, Hutchings IM, Martin KR (2013), “Adult rat retinal ganglion cells and glia can be printed by piezoelectric inkjet printing.” Biofabrication 6(1):015001 Details White AJ, Mukherjee A, Hanspal I, Sarkies NJ, Martin KR, Shah P (2013), “Acute transient corneal endothelial changes following selective laser trabeculoplasty.” Clin Experiment Ophthalmol 41(5):435-41 Details Zhekov I, Janjua R, Shahid H, Sarkies N, Martin KR, White AJ (2013), “A retrospective analysis of long-term outcomes following a single episode of transscleral cyclodiode laser treatment in patients with glaucoma.” BMJ Open 3(7) Details 2012Bull ND, Chidlow G, Wood JP, Martin KR, Casson RJ (2012), “The mechanism of axonal degeneration after perikaryal excitotoxic injury to the retina.” Exp Neurol 236(1):34-45 Details Bull ND, Guidi A, Goedert M, Martin KR, Spillantini MG (2012), “Reduced axonal transport and increased excitotoxic retinal ganglion cell degeneration in mice transgenic for human mutant P301S tau.” PLoS One 7(4):e34724 Details Hyatt AJ, Rajan MS, Burling K, Ellington MJ, Tassoni A, Martin KR (2012), “Release of vancomycin and gentamicin from a contact lens versus a fibrin coating applied to a contact lens.” Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 53(4):1946-52 Details Landers J, Martin K, Sarkies N, Bourne R, Watson P (2012), “A twenty-year follow-up study of trabeculectomy: risk factors and outcomes.” Ophthalmology 119(4):694-702 Details Lorber B, Guidi A, Fawcett JW, Martin KR (2012), “Activated retinal glia mediated axon regeneration in experimental glaucoma.” Neurobiol Dis 45(1):243-52 Details Lorber B, Tassoni A, Bull ND, Moschos MM, Martin KR (2012), “Retinal ganglion cell survival and axon regeneration in WldS transgenic rats after optic nerve crush and lens injury.” BMC Neurosci 13:56 Details Marina N, Sajic M, Bull ND, Hyatt AJ, Berry D, Smith KJ, Martin KR (2012), “Lamotrigine monotherapy does not provide protection against the loss of optic nerve axons in a rat model of ocular hypertension.” Exp Eye Res 104:1-6 Details Martin KR, Corlett A, Dubach D, Mustafa T, Coleman HA, Parkington HC, Merson TD, Bourne JA, Porta S, Arbonés ML, Finkelstein DI, Pritchard MA (2012), “Over-expression of RCAN1 causes Down syndrome-like hippocampal deficits that alter learning and memory.” Hum Mol Genet 21(13):3025-41 Details 2011Bull ND, Johnson TV, Welsapar G, DeKorver NW, Tomarev SI, Martin KR (2011), “Use of an adult rat retinal explant model for screening of potential retinal ganglion cell neuroprotective therapies.” Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 52(6):3309-20 Details Bull ND, Martin KR (2011), “Concise review: toward stem cell-based therapies for retinal neurodegenerative diseases.” Stem Cells 29(8):1170-5 Details Johnson TV, Bull ND, Martin KR (2011), “Stem cell therapy for glaucoma: possibilities and practicalities.” Expert Rev Ophthalmol 6(2):165-174 Details van Oterendorp C, Lorber B, Jovanovic Z, Yeo G, Lagrèze WA, Martin KR (2011), “The expression of dynein light chain DYNLL1 (LC8-1) is persistently downregulated in glaucomatous rat retinal ganglion cells.” Exp Eye Res 92(2):138-46 Details 2010Afshari FT, Kwok JC, Andrews MR, Blits B, Martin KR, Faissner A, Ffrench-Constant C, Fawcett JW (2010), “Integrin activation or alpha 9 expression allows retinal pigmented epithelial cell adhesion on Bruch's membrane in wet age-related macular degeneration.” Brain 133(Pt 2):448-64 Details Avadhanam VS, Khaw PT, Martin KR (2010), “Long-term ocular follow-up in a case with hereditary mucoepithelial dysplasia.” J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus 47 Online:e1-4 Details Hyatt AJ, Wang D, Kwok JC, Fawcett JW, Martin KR (2010), “Controlled release of chondroitinase ABC from fibrin gel reduces the level of inhibitory glycosaminoglycan chains in lesioned spinal cord.” J Control Release 147(1):24-9 Details Johnson TV, Bull ND, Hunt DP, Marina N, Tomarev SI, Martin KR (2010), “Neuroprotective effects of intravitreal mesenchymal stem cell transplantation in experimental glaucoma.” Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 51(4):2051-9 Details Johnson TV, Bull ND, Martin KR (2010), “Neurotrophic factor delivery as a protective treatment for glaucoma.” Exp Eye Res Details Johnson TV, Bull ND, Martin KR (2010), “Identification of barriers to retinal engraftment of transplanted stem cells.” Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 51(2):960-70 Details Marina N, Bull ND, Martin KR (2010), “A semiautomated targeted sampling method to assess optic nerve axonal loss in a rat model of glaucoma.” Nat Protoc 5(10):1642-51 Details 2009Bull ND, Martin KR (2009), “Using stem cells to mend the retina in ocular disease.” Regen Med 4(6):855-64 Details Gasparini L, Anthony Crowther R, Martin KR, Berg N, Coleman M, Goedert M, Spillantini MG (2009), “Tau inclusions in retinal ganglion cells of human P301S tau transgenic mice: Effects on axonal viability.” Neurobiol Aging Details Johnson TV, Bull ND, Martin KR (2009), “Transplantation prospects for the inner retina.” Eye (Lond) 23(10):1980-4 Details 2008Agrawal P, Martin KR (2008), “Ciliary body position variability in glaucoma patients assessed by scleral transillumination.” Eye (Lond) 22(12):1499-503 Details Bull ND, Johnson TV, Martin KR (2008), “Stem cells for neuroprotection in glaucoma.” Prog Brain Res 173:511-9 Details Bull ND, Limb GA, Martin KR (2008), “Human Müller stem cell (MIO-M1) transplantation in a rat model of glaucoma: survival, differentiation, and integration.” Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 49(8):3449-56 Details 2007Bull ND, Martin KR (2007), “Optic nerve restoration: new perspectives.” J Glaucoma 16(5):506-11 Details 2006Martin KR, Quigley HA, Valenta D, Kielczewski J, Pease ME (2006), “Optic nerve dynein motor protein distribution changes with intraocular pressure elevation in a rat model of glaucoma.” Exp Eye Res 83(2):255-62 Details Martin KR, Quigley HA, Valenta DF, Kielczewski J, Pease ME (2006), “Optic nerve dynein motor protein distribution changes with intraocular pressure elevation in a rat model of glaucoma” Exp Eye Res 83(2):255-62 2005Levkovitch-Verbin H, Quigley HA, Martin KR, Harizman N, Valenta DF, Pease ME, Melamed S (2005), “The transcription factor c-jun is activated in retinal ganglion cells in experimental rat glaucoma.” Exp Eye Res 80(5):663-70 Details 2004Martin KR, Quigley HA (2004), “Gene therapy for optic nerve disease.” Eye 18(11):1049-55 Details 2003Levkovitch-Verbin H, Quigley HA, Martin KR, Zack DJ, Pease ME, Valenta DF (2003), “A model to study differences between primary and secondary degeneration of retinal ganglion cells in rats by partial optic nerve transection.” Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 44(8):3388-93 Details Martin KR, Quigley HA, Zack DJ, Levkovitch-Verbin H, Kielczewski J, Valenta D, Baumrind L, Pease ME, Klein RL, Hauswirth WW (2003), “Gene therapy with brain-derived neurotrophic factor as a protection: retinal ganglion cells in a rat glaucoma model” Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 44(10):4357-65 Martin KR, Quigley HA, Zack DJ, Levkovitch-Verbin H, Kielczewski J, Valenta D, Baumrind L, Pease ME, Klein RL, Hauswirth WW (2003), “Gene therapy with brain-derived neurotrophic factor as a protection: retinal ganglion cells in a rat glaucoma model.” Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 44(10):4357-65 Details 2002Levkovitch-Verbin H, Martin KR, Quigley HA, Baumrind LA, Pease ME, Valenta D (2002), “Measurement of amino acid levels in the vitreous humor of rats after chronic intraocular pressure elevation or optic nerve transection.” J Glaucoma 11(5):396-405 Details Levkovitch-Verbin H, Quigley HA, Martin KR, Valenta D, Baumrind LA, Pease ME (2002), “Translimbal laser photocoagulation to the trabecular meshwork as a model of glaucoma in rats.” Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 43(2):402-10 Details Martin KR, Klein RL, Quigley HA (2002), “Gene delivery to the eye using adeno-associated viral vectors.” Methods 28(2):267-75 Details Martin KR, Levkovitch-Verbin H, Valenta D, Baumrind L, Pease ME, Quigley HA (2002), “Retinal glutamate transporter changes in experimental glaucoma and after optic nerve transection in the rat.” Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 43(7):2236-43 Details 2000Comer MB, Newman DK, George ND, Martin KR, Tom BD, Moore AT (2000), “Who should manage primary retinal detachments?” Eye (Lond) 14 ( Pt 4):572-8 Details Martin KR, Burton RL (2000), “The phacoemulsification learning curve: per-operative complications in the first 3000 cases of an experienced surgeon.” Eye (Lond) 14 ( Pt 2):190-5 Details |