Alison Clare

I’m a researcher specialising in ocular disease and gene therapies, with a background in molecular neuroscience and the application of viral vectors for both basic science and translational research. I currently work as a Senior Research Associate at the University of Bristol.

My current research focuses on characterisation of disease pathways to inform development of translational therapies for acquired ocular diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and uveitis. I’m particularly interested in the use of AAV (adeno-associated virus) vectors in retinal gene therapy. This includes advancing our understanding of the immune responses they may trigger – commonly referred to as gene therapy-associated uveitis (GTAU) – in order to devise mitigations.

I’m passionate about creating inclusive research environments and ensuring that emerging therapies are suitable for all patients, regardless of sex, age, or background. Through investigating how variables like sex, age, and immune status affect treatment outcomes, our goal is to inform the design of safer, more effective gene therapies.