About Us
Welcome to the Centre for Vision and Vascular Science (CVVS)! We are an interdisciplinary research centre which is committed to the highest quality scientific endeavour, with over 60 basic and clinical scientists working within the vision and microvascular research niches. Our mission is to develop new avenues for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of important ophthalmic and vascular diseases to relieve human suffering. To achieve this we are developing self-sustaining, multidisciplinary, collaborative, translational research programmes to advance new therapies that will ultimately benefit patients.
The Centre for Vision and Vascular Science (CVVS) at Queen's University Belfast is a multidisciplinary research centre focussed on eye disease and vascular dysfunction, particularly relating to diabetic complications.
Research in our centre incorporates an integrated mixture of approaches ranging from molecular cell biology, disease phenotyping, genetic epidemiology, pathology, drug discovery, patient-based investigation and clinical trials.
Priority is given to translating fundamental research, for example development of therapeutic approaches and pharmacological agents into treatments for important eye diseases and microvascular disorders. Within this framework, we educate medical students, graduate students and post-doctoral researchers, giving unique opportunities for career development and advancement in biomedical research. Our recent recruiting campaign has recruited several new investigators which will increase the size and impact of our research into vision and vascular disease considerably.
Our centre is based in recently refurbished, state-of-the-art laboratory facilities based at the Royal Victoria Hospital campus incorporating high-spec equipment and specialized facilities. There is also a fully-functional and impressively equipped clinical facility which has been set-up to conduct clinical trials, angiogram grading within an international telemedicine centre and sophisticated retinal imaging/ phenotyping.
Our Centre will relocate to a brand new, purpose-built institute (~7400m2) on the Health Sciences Campus, Belfast City Hospital Site, in early 2015.
The Centre for Vision and Vascular Science is committed to improving environmental performance and sustainability by reducing our carbon footprint and promoting green practises among all personnel. Dr Tony Collins as our Environmental Champion in CVVS will play a key role in raising awareness of environmental issues among staff and students alike with the ultimate aim of helping CVVS to reduce its carbon emissions. Several current initiatives such as the 'Switch Me Off' campaign and the 'Green Impact Scheme' have already boosted the profile of environmental issues within our Centre. These programmes and other initiatives will help CVVS move towards a more energy efficient, environmentally friendly position in the coming years.
Please click here for more information on Carbon Management at Queen’s.
Please contact Dr Tony Collins, CVVS Environmental Champion, for further details.