Meeting the Editorial Board Member of AES: Prof. Michael Wormstone

Posted On 2025-04-07 14:11:50


Michael Wormstone1,2, Jin Ye Yeo3

1School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK; 2Nottingham Ningbo China Beacons of Excellence Research and Innovation Institute, University of Nottingham Ningbo China, Ningbo, China; 3AES Editorial Office, AME Publishing Company

Correspondence to: Jin Ye Yeo. AES Editorial Office, AME Publishing Company. Email: aes@amegroups.com.

This interview can be cited as: Wormstone M, Yeo JY. Meeting the Editorial Board Member of AES: Prof. Michael Wormstone. Ann Eye Sci. 2025. Available from: https://aes.amegroups.org/post/view/meeting-the-editorial-board-member-of-aes-prof-michael-wormstone.


Expert introduction

Prof. Michael Wormstone (Figure 1) was awarded his BSc (Pharmacology) in 1993 from the University of Portsmouth and in 1997 obtained his PhD in Ocular Cell Biology from the University of East Anglia (UEA) under the tutelage of Prof George Duncan. He continued postdoctoral training in the School of Biological Sciences at UEA and in 2002 was made a permanent member of UEA faculty. This was initially as a Lecturer (Assistant Professor), which was followed by promotions in 2008 to Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) and Full Professor in 2018. In November 2023, he joined Nottingham Ningbo China Beacons of Excellence Research and Innovation Institute (CBI) at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China. He is a Chaired Professor of Life Sciences and Healthcare and Head of the Research Centre for Life Science and Healthcare at CBI. The University of Nottingham has been ranked in the top 100 Universities in the world.

Prof. Wormstone has led a number of major projects and published more than 70 peer-reviewed articles in premier journals such as Nature Medicine, Aging Cell, Redox Biology, and Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences. He has also served as a consultant for and collaborated with companies ranging from small biotechnology enterprises to major pharmaceuticals.

Prof. Wormstone is widely regarded as a world leader in his field and his reputation is further evidenced through a number of accolades including election to Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine (London) in 2008; Honorary Chair from Harbin Medical University (2009); awarded the prestigious 2015 National Foundation for Eye Research Cataract Research Award; made a Silver Fellow of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) (2016) and became a Gold Fellow in 2023 for services to the field; Emeritus Professor at the University of East Anglia (2023). Prof. Wormstone has also been present on the Stanford World’s top 2% Scientists list since 2020.

Figure 1 Prof. Michael Wormstone


Interview

AES: What initially sparked your interest in ocular biology, and how did your early experiences shape your career trajectory?

Prof. Wormstone: I have always found the eye interesting and appreciated the importance of sight to the well-being of individuals. I was given an opportunity to undertake a PhD in Prof. George Duncan’s lab in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of East Anglia. Prof. Duncan was a leading figure in Lens and Cataract research, and I will be forever grateful for his enthusiasm, patience, and wisdom in supporting my growth as an individual and as an academic from my formative days as a student to my appointment to faculty. The lessons I learned during this time continue to shape my approach to mentorship, education, research approaches, and life as a whole.

AES: Your research has spanned various aspects of ocular cell biology, with a focus on aging, cataracts, and eye health. Could you share an overview of the recent developments in the strategies for the management or prevention of ocular disease formation and progression? What are some examples that stood out to you?

Prof. Wormstone: I believe that contributions from multiple disciplines provide the best opportunity for healthcare advances. Input from clinicians, scientists, engineers, epidemiologists, health economists, and industry representatives is needed. Establishing a synoptic understanding and development framework is required; too often, groups work in isolation, which reduces the probability of success. Each group has different skill sets and needs to work in a concerted manner to achieve maximum output.

In terms of cataracts itself, it is recognized that lifestyle choices and diet can increase the risk of cataracts. Therefore, the general advice is to protect the eye throughout life through behavioral traits and maintain a good diet to provide appropriate nutrients and antioxidant capabilities (1). Congenital cataracts are relatively rare but significantly affect the patient. Advances in cataract-related genes at least identify causes, but methods to treat the patient remain a serious challenge for the future (2). Efforts to resolve certain forms of adult cataracts have been proposed and remain under development, but at present are not used in the clinic (3,4). Therefore, at present, cataracts are treated by surgical procedures. The introduction of an intraocular lens (IOL) to restore refractive power makes it the most common medical implant in the world. This is the most common operative procedure in the world (5). Unfortunately, secondary visual loss (Posterior Capsule Opacification; PCO) results from a wound-healing response triggered by surgery (5). At present, IOL design offers the major approach to limit PCO progression, but additional pharmacological intervention is likely needed to further mitigate the problem.

AES: Looking ahead, what do you consider to be the most pressing questions or areas of research that still need to be addressed in ocular biology, particularly in relation to aging and cataracts?

Prof. Wormstone: There are a number of conditions of the eye that impact the quality of lives of individuals and society. Collectively, millions of people in the world are affected by conditions that include age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma, and in the case of the lens, cataracts (6). Aging is a key influence on the incidence and progression of these conditions. Medical advances have become very successful in supporting longevity (7), but it is important to ensure this added time on earth is a period of quality. Consequently, developing strategies to prevent, delay, or even treat ocular disease formation is a priority. In terms of cataracts, understanding individual vulnerabilities (genetic or physiological) can support and inform lifestyle choices e.g. behavior and diet, which could shift tipping points and delay the onset and progression of cataracts. However, it is still likely that surgery will be required if an individual lifespan continues to extend. Consequently, it is key to continue exploring novel surgical techniques (8,9) and IOL implant designs (10) to better manage wound-healing responses leading to PCO (5). While IOLs will be a major tool in this management, effective support from pharmacological approaches may also be needed and will require controlled delivery systems to ensure efficacy and safety.

AES: In your current role as Head of the Research Centre for Life Science and Healthcare in the Nottingham Ningbo China Beacons of Excellence Research and Innovation Institute (CBI) at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC), how do you envision fostering international collaborations and promoting research excellence in the context of global healthcare challenges?

Prof. Wormstone: The University of Nottingham Ningbo China was the first Sino-Foreign University and is an excellent example of international collaboration and engagement. Life Sciences and Healthcare in CBI at UNNC is recently formed and on an active growth phase. We have an international representation of elite scientists with > 80% having appeared on the Stanford World’s top 2% Scientists list. Eye research plays a key role and we have formed collaborations within China while maintaining and building links with our international colleagues and industrial partners. In essence, my aim is to establish a world-class center that supports world-class scientists. This will fuel innovation and scientific discovery through engagement and collaboration to improve individual well-being and global health.

AES: You have been recognized as a world leader in your field. Looking back, what would you consider to be your proudest moment in your career so far?

Prof. Wormstone: I have published in major journals and have been fortunate to have my scientific efforts recognized through various prizes and awards, but the overwhelming aspect I am most proud of is the fact my work has benefited people.

Pioneering and developing the capsular bag model was a key point in my career. I am proud of the impact it has had on the fundamental understanding of posterior capsule opacification after cataract surgery, but also its application to identify and/or evaluate potential therapeutic targets, develop drug delivery systems, and advance IOLs.

The application of my scientific understanding of a human problem through the use of human model systems and applying these models to real-world issues allowed engagement with industry partners, which has supported and continues to aid the development of clinical products.

AES: As someone who has risen to full professorship and received honors such as Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine, what do you consider the most important qualities in a mentor or educator, and how have you applied these principles in your own teaching and mentorship?

Prof. Wormstone: I think the first thing to appreciate is that you are in a constant stage of learning. As a senior figure, it is important to accept and appreciate this. Our lives are colored by our experiences and we can draw on these to guide and support junior staff and students. It is also important to listen and understand the needs of those we guide. Everyone is different and one approach may be best for one person, but not another. Therefore, it is important to recognize this and adopt a different way to connect and guide if necessary.

AES: With a publication record exceeding 70 peer-reviewed articles in prestigious journals, could you provide an overview of your publication journey? Are there any particularly memorable or notable cases you would like to share?

Prof. Wormstone: I tend to think of my published papers as a body of work (Wormstone, I. Michael - Author details - Scopus) that provides a record of my interests and discoveries over time. Each one regardless of the journal or citation count has meaning and if I cast my eye over one of my past papers I am transported back to that moment in my career. I published my first paper as a University undergraduate, following a successful research project, but my first ophthalmology research paper was in 1996. This was the first publication on the in vitro human capsular bag model of posterior capsule opacification following cataract surgery (11). The evolution of this model as a tool for fundamental scientific discovery and applied research is cataloged in many of my papers and arguably defines my career to date (12-19). I have also enjoyed forging collaborations over the years with fellow academics and industrial partners. I think this is an important aspect of research and something I think everyone can benefit from. I always find it interesting to get different perspectives and be posed unexpected questions. Finding ways to maximize partnerships and solve scientific problems is an exciting and worthwhile pursuit. I, therefore, feel proud of the papers that have emerged from these partnerships. I also look back fondly on various review articles I have authored. A good review is not simply a collection of existing literature but requires organization, insight, and balanced opinion such that the contents are accessible and informative. I have written several major reviews on my specialist subject of PCO. My first review article was a single-author paper published in 2002 in Experimental Eye Research (20). Over the years I have tried to hone my review writing skills and I was particularly proud of an extensive tome published in Progress in Retinal Eye Research called Posterior Capsule Opacification: What’s in the Bag? (5) – never underestimate the value of a good title!

AES: As an Editorial Board Member, what are your expectations for AES?

Prof. Wormstone: To provide a collection of novel and innovative complementary research papers that connect basic scientific discovery to clinical practice.


References

  1. Zhang Y, Qin X, Xu T, et al. Research progress on the correlation between cataract occurrence and nutrition. Front Nutr 2024;11:1405033.
  2. Shiels A, Hejtmancik JF. Mutations and mechanisms in congenital and age-related cataracts. Exp Eye Res 2017;156:95-102.
  3. Makley LN, McMenimen KA, DeVree BT, et al. Pharmacological chaperone for α-crystallin partially restores transparency in cataract models. Science 2015;350:674-7.
  4. Zhao L, Chen XJ, Zhu J, et al. Lanosterol reverses protein aggregation in cataracts. Nature 2015;523:607-11.
  5. Wormstone IM, Wormstone YM, Smith AJO, et al. Posterior capsule opacification: What's in the bag? Prog Retin Eye Res 2021;82:100905.
  6. BD 2019 Blindness and Vision Impairment Collaborators; Vision Loss Expert Group of the Global Burden of Disease Study. Causes of blindness and vision impairment in 2020 and trends over 30 years, and prevalence of avoidable blindness in relation to VISION 2020: the Right to Sight: an analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study. Lancet Glob Health 2021;9:e144-e160.
  7. Campisi J, Kapahi P, Lithgow GJ, et al. From discoveries in ageing research to therapeutics for healthy ageing. Nature. 2019;571:183-192.
  8. Van Looveren J, Ní Dhubhghaill S, Godts D, et al Pediatric bag-in-the-lens intraocular lens implantation: long-term follow-up. J Cataract Refract Surg 2015;41:1685-92.
  9. Lin H, Ouyang H, Zhu J, et al. Lens regeneration using endogenous stem cells with gain of visual function. Nature. 2016;531:323-8.
  10. Perez-Vives, C., 2018. Biomaterial influence on intraocular lens performance: an overview. J Ophthalmol 2018, 2687385.
  11. Liu CSC, Wormstone IM, Duncan G, et al. A study of human lens cell growth in vitro: a model for posterior capsule opacification. Invest Ophthalmol. Vis  Sci 1996;37:906-914.
  12. Wormstone IM, Liu CSC, Rakic J-M, et al. Human lens epithelial cell proliferation in protein-free medium. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 1997;38:396-404.
  13. Wormstone IM, Tamiya ST, Anderson I, et al. TGF b2 induced matrix modification and cell transdifferentiation in the human lens capsular bag. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2002;43:2301-2308.
  14. Eldred JA, McDonald M, Wilkes HS, et al. Growth factor restriction impedes progression of wound healing following cataract surgery: identification of VEGF as a putative therapeutic target. Scientific Reports 2016;6:24453.
  15. Smith A., Eldred J, Wormstone IM. Resveratrol Inhibits Wound-healing and Lens Fibrosis: A Putative Candidate for Posterior Capsule Opacification Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2019;60:3863-3877.
  16. Eldred JA, Zheng J, Chen S, et al. An in vitro human lens capsular bag model adopting a graded culture regime to assess putative impact of IOLs on PCO formation. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2019;60:113–122.
  17. Wormstone IM. The human capsular bag model of posterior capsule opacification. Eye 2020;34:225-231.
  18. Wormstone IM, Damm NB, Kelp M, et al. Assessment of intraocular lens/capsular bag biomechanical interactions following cataract surgery in a human in vitro graded culture capsular bag model. Exp Eye Res 2021;205:108487.
  19. Cooksley G, Nam MH, Nahomi RB, et al. Lens capsule advanced glycation end products induce senescence in epithelial cells: Implications for secondary cataracts. Aging Cell. 2024;23:e14249.
  20. Wormstone IM. Posterior Capsule Opacification: A Cell Biological Perspective. Exp. Eye Res. 2002, 74:337-347.