Clem Jones Centre for Regenerative Medicine

At the Clem Jones Centre for Regenerative Medicine, researchers combine their expertise in vision science and regenerative medicine to understand retinal diseases and explore the potential of stem cell therapies for tissue repair.

Our goal is to bring stem cell treatments to the clinic, offering hope for vision restoration in people with blinding retinal degenerative conditions like macular degeneration. Our team has developed several innovative procedures, now refined and in preparation for clinical trials.

In addition to retinal research, the Centre supports broader studies in regenerative medicine, stem cell biology, and vision science. Our work spans areas such as tissue engineering, tissue regeneration, biomaterials, advanced drug design and delivery, immunity and inflammation, and disease modelling.

Ultimately, the Centre’s mission is to translate breakthroughs in stem cell science into clinical treatments that directly benefit patients.
 

Key focus areas


  • Retinal diseases and degeneration.


  • Production of retinal cells from stem cells.


  • Regeneration of retinal tissues from stem cells.


  • Advanced cell therapies for vision loss.


  • Novel drugs to treat retinal diseases.

Our research

Advancing a stem cell therapy for macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of visual impairment and blindness. With an ageing population, the number of people living with this disease will increase. 

AMD is however recognised as a disease that is highly amenable to cell therapy. Notably, a stem cell therapy for AMD is considered one of the most viable applications of stem cells in the field of regenerative medicine. 

A team at the Centre is developing a therapy for dry AMD, involving the regeneration of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells from stem cells and safely transplanting these into the eye. 

New methodology has also been developed allowing for the production of photoreceptors from stem cells which can be transplanted into patients suffering late-stage AMD, with a view to restoring vision.

A section of a rat retina showing the different cell layers, with photoreceptors in bright green integrated with the retinal pigment epithelial cells in red (photo Davinia Beaver).

Retinal diseases, degeneration and advanced therapies

Teams at the Centre are investigating diseases most commonly known to cause blindness, including AMD, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma. 

Using advanced experimental techniques, specialist imaging and electrophysiology, researchers are focussing on the complex steps that determine the death of critical nerve cells, and have identified a number of promising protective strategies to enhance their survival.

Microscopic image of a mouse retina showing CFP-expressing ganglion cell bodies
A wholemount of a mouse retina showing CFP-expressing ganglion cell bodies and their axons converging towards the optic nerve head (left) and fluorescence angiography showing blood vessels at the back of the eye (right).

Community impact

At the Clem Jones Centre we are working to reduce the devastating impacts of vision impairment due to macular degeneration and other retinal diseases by developing new treatments and cures that have the potential to halt and even reverse vision loss.   

Read featured article
Macular degeneration research at Bond

Associate Professor Nigel Barnett discusses AMD and his research into age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of blindness in the western world.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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A message from our Director

  • At the Clem Jones Centre we are committed to using basic research to answer complex biological problems. Standing on this solid foundation we aim to close the gap between discovery in the laboratory and application in patients. Ultimately, our researchers aim to translate the knowledge, materials and methods created in the laboratory into treatments that can be tested in clinical trials.

    The sooner we take our laboratory-based medical discoveries and convert them into new treatments, the earlier they can be manufactured by biotech and pharmaceutical companies and used by doctors to improve the lives of patients, creating a healthier and happier future for all Australians suffering from vision loss.

    Research translation requires harnessing a broad array of both scientific and non-scientific capability and capacity.  

    A/Prof Nigel Barnett - Director of the Clem Jones Centre for Regenerative Medicine
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Grants and funding

Awards

Professor Helen O'Neill

Vice Chancellor's Career Recognition Award 2024

Teresa Mammone

Three Minute Thesis: Runner-up and People's Choice Award 2022

Professor Helen O'Neill

Vice Chancellor's Award of Research Excellence 2021

Staff by association

  • Prof Helen O'Neill

    Honorary Adjunct Professor

    Contact details

    View profile

  • Dr Nigel Barnett

    Associate Professor

    Faculty of Health Sciences & Medicine

    Clem Jones Centre for Regenerative Medicine

    Accepting PhD students

    Contact details

    View profile

  • Dr Davinia Beaver

    Research Fellow

    Faculty of Health Sciences & Medicine

    Clem Jones Centre for Regenerative Medicine

    Contact details

    View profile

  • Dr Jason Limnios

    Senior Post Doctoral Research Fellow

    Faculty of Health Sciences & Medicine

    Clem Jones Centre for Regenerative Medicine

    Contact details

    View profile
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View all Researchers

Our Students

Neil Josen Delos Reyes

Supervisors: Nigel Barnett, Tim Dargaville (QUT), Davinia Beaver, Steven Bottle (QUT)

‘Investigating the anti-inflammatory action of a novel library of hybrid nitroxide/anti-inflammatory drugs as a potential therapeutic for age-related macular degeneration.’

Email Neil

Our Staff

Industry and institutional partners

The Centre collaborates with two Australian organisations:

  • Professor Steven BottleQueensland University of Technology, Brisbane
    Dr Bob BourkeEye Specialist Institute, Gold Coast 
    Professor Richard BoydCartherics, Melbourne
    Professor Traian ChirilaQueensland Eye Institute, Brisbane 
    Associate Professor Chris LaytonLayton Vision Foundation, Brisbane & The University of Queensland, Brisbane
    Associate Professor Ricardo NatoliThe Australian National University, Canberra
    Professor Terry O’NeillBond University, Gold Coast 
    Dr Brett StringerFlinders University, Adelaide
    Dr Chih-Wei TengCentre for Commercialisation of Regenerative Medicine, Melbourne
    Dr Silvio TizianiCentre for Commercialisation of Regenerative Medicine, Melbourne
    Professor Alan TrounsonCartherics, Melbourne
  • Dr Pravin PeriasamyNational University of Singapore, Singapore 
    Dr Sawang PetvisesThammassat University, Bangkok
    Professor Katia Del Rio-TsonisMiami University, Ohio, USA
    Professor Mike RobinsonMiami University, Ohio, USA
    Professor Takeshi WatanabeKyoto University, Japan
Professor Steven BottleQueensland University of Technology, Brisbane
Dr Bob BourkeEye Specialist Institute, Gold Coast 
Professor Richard BoydCartherics, Melbourne
Professor Traian ChirilaQueensland Eye Institute, Brisbane 
Associate Professor Chris LaytonLayton Vision Foundation, Brisbane & The University of Queensland, Brisbane
Associate Professor Ricardo NatoliThe Australian National University, Canberra
Professor Terry O’NeillBond University, Gold Coast 
Dr Brett StringerFlinders University, Adelaide
Dr Chih-Wei TengCentre for Commercialisation of Regenerative Medicine, Melbourne
Dr Silvio TizianiCentre for Commercialisation of Regenerative Medicine, Melbourne
Professor Alan TrounsonCartherics, Melbourne

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