Project

Exploring a new route to restore retinal processing.

NanoFlash is developing cell-targeted, light-responsive nanoactuators and investigating whether they can activate surviving retinal cells to restore natural visual processing.
Two researchers discuss project work beside a computer.
A researcher prepares materials using laboratory equipment.

A light-responsive approach designed around the cells that remain.

In Retinitis Pigmentosa and atrophic Age-related Macular Degeneration, the loss of photoreceptors can prevent light from reaching the retina’s remaining visual processing network.

NanoFlash is developing soft, injectable nanoactuators designed to target specific ON bipolar cells that remain in the retina. The project will investigate whether activating these cells with light-sensitive particles can re-engage the retina’s natural visual processing pathways without changing a patient’s genes or inserting implants.

Why NanoFlash

Some retinal pathways may remain.

NanoFlash starts from a focused question: can light-sensitive materials activate specific cells that remain in the retina and help restore its natural visual processing? The project will investigate this step by step, progressing to more complex models as evidence develops.

Vision

Use what the retina can still do.

NanoFlash is exploring whether light-responsive materials can work with the retina’s remaining visual network.

Targeted

Focus on specific mGluR6-bearing ON bipolar cells.

Gene-free

Explore restoring light responses without changing a patient's genes.

Functional

Investigate visual function such as contrast, spatial discrimination and colour.

Stepwise

Build evidence across increasingly complex biological models.

Research roadmap

Build evidence step by step.

NanoFlash brings together materials design, biological targeting and increasingly advanced models to build evidence for its approach.

Design

Develop light-responsive materials

Use computational modelling and experiments to design and select promising nanoactuators.
Target

Make them cell-specific

Develop ways to guide the nanoactuators towards specific cells in the retina.
Test

Build biological evidence

Study targeting, safety and light responses in cells, human retinal organoids and retinal tissue.
Validate

Test visual function

Evaluate selected candidates in established models of retinal degeneration.
Translate

Prepare the next steps

Bring the evidence together, share results and define the pathway towards further development.

Important context

What NanoFlash is - and is not.

NanoFlash is an early-stage research project developing and testing a new, cell-targeted approach to restoring retinal function.

It is not an approved treatment. The project is building evidence needed to understand its potential, safety and limitations. Clinical studies would require further research and development beyond the current project and are planned as a next phase of NanoFlash.