The scientist of the DFG research group 2240 again had a strong presence at the annual ARVO conference in 2022. ARVO is the largest organization for eye and vision research worldwide. The conference took place in person in Denver, Colorado from 1st – 4th May and virtually from 11th – 12th May 2022. In total 17 FOR 2240 members took part in this year´s conference, of which 14 attended in person and three participated online.
Five of our scientists received ARVO travel grants endowed with USD 1100 supporting them to present their latest work on-site in Denver. Namely Alfrun Schönberg (AG Bock, DFG Research grant), Antonia Howaldt (Cologne Clinician Scientist Program (CCSP)), Thomas Volatier (AG Notara, FOR 2240 TP N2), Wei Zhang (AG Cursiefen, FOR 2240 TP1) and Mert Mestanoglu (AG Cursiefen/Bock, Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes).
Further to this, two of our scientist´s projects have been identified by members of the Annual Meeting Program Committee as “Hot Topic” representing the newest and most innovative research at the ARVO: Alfrun Schönberg (AG Bock) presented a talk on the “Effect of sCD83 on direct allosensitization after corneal transplantation” elucidating how the corneal graft itself can be used to improve corneal graft survival. Dr. Matthias Hamdorf (AG Bock/Cursiefen) presented a poster on “Aflibercept (Eylea) inhibits dendritic cell migration” shedding light on the complex interaction of the well-known antiangiogenic therapeutic and the immune system.
In addition, Dr. Leonie Mengesha (Supervision: Prof. Bachmann) won second place in the Théa Trophy Contest for her project “Novel surgical approaches in complex situations: when ocular cicatricial pemphigoid and glaucoma collide”. The Théa Trophy symposium is held during the ARVO annual meeting and is designed to encourage presentation and communication skills of residents and fellows in ophthalmology and gives young ophthalmologist the chance to present their work to larger audiences.
