Times Higher Accolade for Nottingham Research

Scientists from the University of Nottingham won ’Research Project of the Year’ at the Times Higher Education Awards 2014, for the  identification of a previously undetected layer of the cornea, the clear protective lens that sits in front of the eye.

Professor Harminder Dua and his research team, Dr Dalia Said, Dr Lana Faraj, Trevor Gray and James Lowe found the distinct layer deep in the corneal tissue which is said to play a vital role in corneal transplant surgery.

The discovery, named ’Dua’s Layer,’ also sparked a flurry of research questions about its role in diseases of the eye including glaucoma, the world’s second most common cause of blindness, which is a result of defective fluid drainag.

Professor Dua said: "Winning this award is fantastic - but the real winners are my team, the University of Nottingham for the support and the environment it provides, and my NHS colleagues who have always encouraged and facilitated my research." Collaborative work with researchers in Italy, Egypt, Lithuania and Wales is building on the breakthrough.

Professor Saul Tendler, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research at The University of Nottingham, said: "I’m delighted to see this outstanding work recognised by the Times Higher Education judges. This is exciting research that is helping to improve patient care and having a real impact on day-to-day treatment of patients around the world."

Shearer West, head of the Humanities Division at the University of Oxford, said: "The discovery of a new layer of the cornea by Professor Dua has been one of the most exciting recent developments in opthalmology, with the possibility of revolutionising the treatment of corneal diseases."