Research - The ELZA Institute

Members of ELZA are heavily involved both in clinical, but also in laboratory research. ELZA follows the american model, where advances in medicine do not necessarily have to be initiated at universities only. Rather, small and innovative “think tanks” can, in collaboration with academic institutions, be incubators for translational research.

The patient profits from doctors, that do not only apply the latest developments, but have a deep understanding of them, because they co-developed them.

Current focus of research at ELZA

Currently, ELZA’s research focuses on various topics, both in basic and clinical research.

Basic research

Retina

Molecular mechanisms leading to retinal degeneration. In vivo-work in transgenic animal models for retinal degeneration and ex vivo in incubated retinas. Publication of several high-impact papers, including Nature Medicine and Nature Genetics.

Cornea

Mechanisms of corneal wound healing after refractive laser surgery. Advancing corneal collagen cross-linking technology. Keratoconus and corneal biomechanics. Scleral cross-linking. Improving PACK-CXL technology for corneal infection.

Clinical research

Cornea

Improvement of current ablation algorithms in refractive laser surgery. Establishment of new techniques for the management of complications after refractive laser surgery. Improving the technique of corneal crosslinking (CXL) for the treatment of progressive keratoconus, iatrogenic keratectasia, corneal melting processes and corneal dystrophies.