Simon J. Clark
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prof-clark.bsky.social
Simon J. Clark
@prof-clark.bsky.social
88 followers 30 following 230 posts
Helmut Ecker Endowed Professor of AMD & Co-Founder - Complement Therapeutics. Interested in ocular immunology and health. A British Biochemist in Europe 🇬🇧 🇪🇺
#ExtracellularMatrix #complement #ophthalmology

https://tinyurl.com/Clark-lab
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Simon J. Clark @prof-clark.bsky.social · Dec 26
Right. Let’s try this social media malarkey once more, shall we?
prof-clark.bsky.social
Pleased to share that I will be talking at this year's Complement Based Drug Development Summit 1st-3rd Dec, in Boston US. Join us for the latest developments and future visions for complement therapeutics! buff.ly/RqA9bfm

#complement #drugdevelopment #innovation
October 17, 2025 at 8:03 AM
prof-clark.bsky.social
Groundbreaking study suggests causal genetic links between the gut microbiome, immune aging, and macular degeneration.
#Microbiome #Aging #Immunology #AMD #GutEyeAxis #Genetics #SystemsBiology #PrecisionMedicine #AgingResearch #Bioinformatics
buff.ly/VsWMHYP
Genetically predicted causal links between gut microbiota and biological aging phenotypes in age-related macular degeneration - PubMed
Current knowledge regarding the role of gut microbiota (GM) dysbiosis and biological aging in the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) remains limited. This study aims to explore…
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October 16, 2025 at 9:00 AM
prof-clark.bsky.social
New Mendelian randomization study reveals FHR1 and FD as causal drivers in IgA and diabetic nephropathy #Nephrology #KidneyDisease #PrecisionMedicine #Genomics #ComplementSystem #DrugDiscovery #Innovation #ScienceNews #AI #Bioinformatics buff.ly/tfat5dy
Identification of potential therapeutic targets for complement-associated glomerular diseases using Mendelian randomization - PubMed
The complement system is a crucial part of the innate immune response, involved in various glomerular diseases through its activation in different pathways. Uncontrolled complement activation plays a…
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October 14, 2025 at 9:01 AM
prof-clark.bsky.social
New study identifies genetically prioritised plasma proteins as novel therapeutic targets for dry AMD, inc. FHR-4 and FHR-2

#AMD #Ophthalmology #PrecisionMedicine #Proteomics #Genomics #DrugDiscovery #Innovation #ScienceNews #Bioinformatics buff.ly/Q8oaU1e
Genetically Prioritized Plasma Proteins as Candidate Therapeutic Targets for Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration - PubMed
This study provides genetically supported therapeutic candidates for dry AMD and prioritizes candidates with high clinical potential, advancing therapeutic strategies for dry AMD.
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October 13, 2025 at 9:00 AM
prof-clark.bsky.social
Transferrin supplementation restores iron balance, prevents ferroptosis, and protects retinal cells, implying a novel therapeutic path for dry AMD.
#AMD #Retina #Ophthalmology #Ferroptosis #Transferrin #IronMetabolism #Neuroprotection #CellDeathDisease buff.ly/xt4Anvk
Transferrin is a drug candidate for the treatment of dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) - PubMed
Dysregulation of iron homeostasis plays a crucial role in retinal diseases, contributing to oxidative stress, inflammation, and ferroptosis, key processes that drive the degeneration of the retinal…
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October 7, 2025 at 9:00 AM
prof-clark.bsky.social
NIH commits $87M to a new Organoid Center—accelerating the shift from animal testing to human-tissue models that could transform drug discovery. #Organoids #DrugDiscovery #Biotech #Innovation #AlternativesToAnimalTesting #TranslationalResearch
NIH earmarks $87M for new organoid center as pivot away from animal testing continues
The National Institutes of Health is continuing its mission to reduce the use of animals in drug testing by awarding $87 million in contracts to launch the Standardized Organoid Modeling (SOM) Cent |…
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October 2, 2025 at 9:01 AM
prof-clark.bsky.social
MACUSTAR study links structural biomarkers in intermediate AMD (RPD, cRORA) to pathway-specific polygenic risk scores—advancing precision risk stratification & trial design. #AMD #Ophthalmology #Genetics #PolygenicRisk #PrecisionMedicine #VisionResearch buff.ly/SyjrWEg
Associations Between Structural Phenotype and Polygenic Risk Scores in Intermediate Age-Related Macular Degeneration - A MACUSTAR Report - PubMed
Our findings reveal subgroups in iAMD based on genotype-phenotype associations which can help identifying patients at high risk for iAMD and establish new endpoints for clinical trials in iAMD.
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October 1, 2025 at 9:02 AM
prof-clark.bsky.social
New study reveals a once “uncertain” CFH variant (p.Pro440Ser) is pathogenic in familial cuticular drusen—linking genetics, complement dysregulation & early macular disease. #Ophthalmology #Genetics #AMD #PrecisionMedicine #RareDisease #VisionResearch buff.ly/wnHCeCI
Evidence for the Pathogenicity of a CFH Variant in a Multigenerational Family with Cuticular Drusen - PubMed
<span><i>Background and Objectives:</i> Cuticular drusen are a rare form of early-onset drusen maculopathy, which falls within the spectrum of age-related macular degeneration. Previous research…
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September 30, 2025 at 9:00 AM
prof-clark.bsky.social
New study shows #HTRA1 directly disrupts toxic #Tau fibril seeding: a breakthrough in understanding #Alzheimers and opening doors to novel #Neurodegeneration therapies. Understanding HTRA1 biochemistry may unlock what its doing in AMD too. buff.ly/KKyCtNi
The serine protease HTRA1 targets Tau fibrils and provides a proteolytic barrier against pathogenic protein conformations - PubMed
Tauopathies such as Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal dementia with Parkinsonism, and other neurodegenerative diseases are classified as protein folding diseases because they share amyloid fibrils…
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September 29, 2025 at 9:01 AM
prof-clark.bsky.social
Zinc isn’t just a supplement: it’s a master regulator of retinal health, reshaping our understanding of #AMD, #OxidativeStress & the #GutEyeAxis. #Ophthalmology #Retina #EyeHealth #VisionScience
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Zinc in eye health, retinal biology and disease - PubMed
Zinc is an essential trace mineral that plays a crucial role in numerous bodily functions, including immune response, wound healing, and protein synthesis. Regarding eye health, zinc is particularly…
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September 25, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Reposted by Simon J. Clark
eye-tuebingen.bsky.social
Congrats to @prof-clark.bsky.social for the 2025 #Svar Complement Excellence Award at ICW Brisbane ! This Award is an annual honor for outstanding international contributions to complement science. 💪👏
@unituebingen.bsky.social @tueneurocampus.bsky.social

www.eye-tuebingen.de?tx_news_pi1%...
Prof. Simon J. Clark wins the 2025 Svar Complement Excellence Award at ICW Brisbane
This award highlights Simon’s outstanding contributions to complement research
www.eye-tuebingen.de
September 17, 2025 at 2:36 PM
prof-clark.bsky.social
Pleased to share that I will be talking at this year's Complement Based Drug Development Summit 1st-3rd Dec, in Boston US. Join us for the latest developments and future visions for complement therapeutics! buff.ly/RqA9bfm

#complement #drugdevelopment #innovation
September 17, 2025 at 10:00 AM
prof-clark.bsky.social
First-ever use of Adaptive Optics Transscleral Flood Illumination (AO-TFI) reveals 4 distinct retinal phenotypes in AMD, opening new paths for earlier detection and precision monitoring.
#AMD #Ophthalmology #AdaptiveOptics #Retina #MedicalImaging buff.ly/FrxgHDX
High-Resolution Adaptive Optics Transscleral Flood Illumination Imaging Allows Phenotyping of Age-Related Macular Degeneration - PubMed
Adaptive optics transscleral flood illumination (AO-TFI) enables in vivo imaging of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) at near-cellular resolution. In this study, we evaluated its potential as a…
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September 16, 2025 at 8:00 AM
prof-clark.bsky.social
It’s a huge honor to receive one of this years SVAR Complement Excellence Award 2025! Thank you so much for this recognition of our work studying ECM-driven immunity!
@eye-tuebingen.bsky.social #ICW2025 #AMD #ophthalmology #complement
September 15, 2025 at 10:48 AM
prof-clark.bsky.social
This doesn't look good - I remember when Merck committed to a +£1Billion investment in the UK was touted as a Brexit win.

Merck executes its own Brexit, moving all R&D operations out of UK
Merck executes its own Brexit, moving all R&D operations out of UK
Less than two years after breaking ground on a ballyhooed 1 billion pound sterling ($1.31 billion) R&D center and future U.K. headquarters in London, Merck & Co. | Less than two years after breaking…
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September 12, 2025 at 8:01 AM
prof-clark.bsky.social
AI eye scans in GP clinics hit 93% accuracy detecting diabetic retinopathy—real-world proof that accessible, instant screening can transform early detection and patient care. buff.ly/kilZWTi
#AI #DigitalHealth #DiabeticRetinopathy #HealthTech #Early
Effectiveness of artificial intelligence-based diabetic retinopathy screening in primary care and endocrinology settings in Australia: a pragmatic trial
Purpose To investigate the diagnostic accuracy, feasibility and end-user experiences of an artificial intelligence (AI)-based, automated diabetic retinopathy (DR) screening model in real-world,…
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September 11, 2025 at 8:00 AM
prof-clark.bsky.social
Striking shifts in FH N-glycans appear in HUS patients without altering core function, raising big questions about whether AMD risk variants might also shape complement glycosylation. #AMD #complement #glycans #glycobiology #risk buff.ly/mPYgbVB
Glycoproteomics analysis of complement factor H and its complement-regulatory function during Streptococcus pneumoniae-associated hemolytic uremic syndrome - PubMed
Hemolytic uremic syndrome caused by an invasive <i>Streptococcus pneumoniae</i> infection (SP-HUS) is a rare and severe disease that primarily affects children under two years of age. The…
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September 10, 2025 at 8:01 AM
prof-clark.bsky.social
New real-world data show avacincaptad pegol (Izervay) is safe in GA, with no inflammation or endophthalmitis and only ~6% annual CNV risk—reassuring results beyond clinical trials.

#GeographicAtrophy #AvacincaptadPegol #Ophthalmology #RealWorldEvidence #Innovation buff.ly/mSnVtjg
Real-World Experience with Intravitreal Pegcetacoplan for the Treatment of Geographic Atrophy in Age-Related Macular Degeneration - PubMed
Eyes treated with pegcetacoplan after 1 year had a 37% reduction in GA growth rate compared with their prior annual growth rate. Pegcetacoplan slowed the growth for foveal and non-foveal GA at a…
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September 9, 2025 at 8:01 AM
prof-clark.bsky.social
🚨 PhD Positions Alert!🚨

Want to join a dynamic initiative between Europe's two leading centres of Ophthalmology? Then apply for a PhD opportunity as part of our Limits2Vision research programme - buff.ly/Ewv0g2k
limits2vision – International Research Training Group
We are excited to announce that up to 20 PhD student positions (funded for up to 3.5 years) will be available in Tübingen and Paris, starting on January 1, 2026.
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September 8, 2025 at 8:01 AM
prof-clark.bsky.social
New imaging shows hyporeflective clumps in AMD eyes move at microglia-like speeds, unveiling a dynamic biomarker that could transform how we track disease progression.
#AMD #Ophthalmology #AdaptiveOptics #Biomarkers #VisionScience buff.ly/4uKVDsE
Using adaptive optics to assess hyporeflective clump speed and size in age-related macular degeneration in the PINNACLE Study. (PINNACLE Study Report 6) - PubMed
AOO can detect HRC movement in AMD in images captured a mean of 105.5 min apart. HRC size and movement speed are consistent with microglial cells, but may also represent RPE cells. HRCs appear larger…
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September 5, 2025 at 11:00 AM
prof-clark.bsky.social
For the first time in vivo, researchers show that C-reactive protein dissociation into monomeric CRP drives inflammation and choroidal neovascularization in AMD—revealing a novel therapeutic target. #AMD #CRP #VisionResearch #Inflammation #Ophthalmology buff.ly/NqCkRkX
C-reactive protein dissociation drives choroidal neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration - PubMed
Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and inflammation play an important role in retinal disease development and the acute phase reactant C-reactive protein (CRP) has been shown to contribute to…
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September 4, 2025 at 11:01 AM
prof-clark.bsky.social
New research shows that HTRA1-driven proteolysis directly induces retinal degeneration in AMD, uncovering RBP3 as a novel substrate and potential therapeutic target. #AMD #HTRA1 #VisionResearch #TherapeuticTargets #Ophthalmology buff.ly/D9LsDVO
HTRA1-dependent proteolysis induces age-related retinal degeneration and exacerbates choroidal neovascularization - PubMed
Polymorphisms in the ARMS2/HTRA1 locus on chromosome 10 enhance the risk of geographic atrophy (GA) and macular neovascularization (MNV), the advanced forms of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).…
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September 3, 2025 at 11:01 AM
prof-clark.bsky.social
🌍 Discover how mapping sialoglycoconjugates in the human retina opens new doors for ocular disease therapies buff.ly/YPEg5kj

#Ophthalmology #RetinaResearch #AMD #Biomarkers #TherapeuticInnovation #FutureOfMedicine
Sialoglycoconjugate Profiling of Human Choroid, Retinal Pigment Epithelium, and Basal Laminar Deposits - PubMed
Age-related macular degeneration is a leading cause of central vision loss in the elderly. Early hallmarks of the disease include basal laminar deposit beneath the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)…
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September 2, 2025 at 11:01 AM
prof-clark.bsky.social
🚨 BREAKTHROUGH for vision loss: The FDA just approved Encelto, the first-ever treatment for Macular Telangiectasia type 2 (MacTel) - a living implant that protects vision from inside the eye. #Encelto #MacTel #MedTech buff.ly/9Le7LSv
ENCELTO Implant Slows Vision Loss in MacTel
Phase III trials confirm ENCELTO’s neuroprotective implant slows vision loss in macular telangiectasia type 2 (MacTel).
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August 14, 2025 at 12:30 PM
prof-clark.bsky.social
🚨 Your next eye exam might save your heart.

A simple retinal image—taken in less than a minute—can now predict your 10-year risk of heart attack, stroke, or CV death with 70% accuracy, thanks to AI

#AIinHealthcare #DigitalHealth #CardiovascularHealth

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AI Eye Scan Predicts Heart Risk with 70% Accuracy
British Heart Foundation–backed study finds AI analysis of routine retinal scans can predict 10-year heart attack or stroke risk with 70% accuracy.
ophthalmologybreakingnews.com
August 13, 2025 at 12:30 PM