Anne Zebitz Eriksen

Project title

Development of whole Eye organoids, as a disease models of retinitis pigmentosa

What is your project about?

My project aims to use stem cells to create laboratory models of the human eye to study the inherited eye disease retinitis pigmentosa. This disease affects the light-sensitive cells in the retina- the photoreceptors - and their supporting cells, the retinal pigment epithelium, leading to gradual vision loss and, in many cases, blindness - often before the age of 40. With these new models, we hope to gain a better understanding of how the disease progresses at the cellular level and identify new potential targets for treatment. We will also explore whether the models can be used to test new therapies to help more patients in the future.

How did you become interested in your particular field of research?

My fascination with the eye began during my PhD, where I worked on nanoparticle-based drug delivery for eye diseases. Our sense of sight is crucial to quality of life, and the retina is an incredibly complex system that relies on collaboration between many specialized cell types. At the same time, stem cells are fascinating because they have the potential to become almost any cell type in the body. During a research stay in Boston, I had the opportunity to work with stem cell-based retinal models, and suddenly everything clicked. The combination of eye research and stem cell technology holds real promise for developing new treatments for vision loss and blindness.

What are the scientific challenges and perspectives in your project?

Retinitis pigmentosa is a challenging disease to study because it can be caused by mutations in over 80 different genes, and the course of the disease depends on which genes are involved. This makes it difficult to treat, and only a few therapies exist today, targeted only to patients with specific genetic mutations. Several retinal cell types are affected, and the disease arises when the interaction between the light-sensitive photoreceptors and their supporting cells, the retinal pigment epithelium, breaks down. Most current models only include photoreceptors, but in my project, we use a stem cell-based model that includes both photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelium. By growing these models, using stem cells from patients with different genetic backgrounds, we hope to gain new insights that can lead to better treatments and help preserve vision.

What is your estimate of the impact, which your project may have to society in the long term?

I hope my research will contribute to the development of new treatments for patients with retinitis pigmentosa and other vision-threatening diseases. By using stem cells from different patients, we can create models that reflect each individual’s genetics. This opens the door to more personalized medicine, where treatments are tailored to the individual. At the same time, our models provide new insights into how the disease develops - knowledge that could also benefit research on other neurodegenerative disorders. Finally, these advanced in vitro models may help reduce the need for animal testing in future research.

Which impact do you expect the Sapere Aude programme will have on your career as a researcher?

The Sapere Aude program is a crucial step in my development as an independent research leader. The grant allows me to build a focused research group, including both a PhD student and a postdoc, and to establish the critical mass needed to realize my vision of developing and applying advanced stem cell-based eye models for research into inherited eye diseases. It will strengthen my role as a project leader and mentor and give me the time and resources to build new collaborations. The Sapere Aude program not only provides a unique opportunity for scientific advancement, but also a strong foundation for building an internationally recognized research profile in the field.

Background and personal life

I’ve always loved traveling and experiencing new places and cultures, and I’ve been lucky to combine that with my studies and work, living in various places around the world. I spent a little over four years in New York with my partner during my postdoc. We returned to Copenhagen just over a year ago and are enjoying being closer to family and old friends. When I’m not working, I enjoy cooking, knitting, reading books, and watching bad TV.