Dr J. Arjuna Ratnayaka BSc, MPhil, DIC, PhD
Lecturer in Vision Sciences
Dr J Arjuna Ratnayaka is a Lecturer in Vision Sciences (School of Medicine) at the University of Southampton.
Dr Ratnayaka brings together expertise in Retinal biology and Neurodegeneration. After graduating from the University of Aberdeen, Dr Ratnayaka completed a Master’s degree at Imperial College, London, followed by a PhD from the University of Liverpool. His doctoral work characterised the molecular/biochemical fate of proteins associated with Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and proliferative vitreoretinopathy. He extended his interests in degenerative pathophysiology in two successive research groups at King’s College London and at the University of Sussex where his postdoctoral work investigated axonal and synaptic mechanisms in the central nervous system.
Dr Ratnayaka’s work helped unravel the molecular pathways of neurotransmission by describing how synaptic vesicles are shared by adjacent synapses, how signalling occurs via extra-synaptic sites and by uncovering new mechanisms modulating synaptic plasticity. His group at Southampton studies molecular mechanisms underlying degenerative pathophysiology in the senescent retina and brain. His core team comprises of technical and postdoctoral staff as well as PhD students. Their work utilises in-vitro and animal models as well as human donor tissues, and employs histological, molecular/biochemical, light and ultrastructural microscopy as well as 3D imaging techniques. Dr Ratnayaka’s work involves collaborations with other scientists and clinicians as well as industrial partners. His portfolio includes teaching and mentoring activities across two Schools.
Dr Ratnayaka is responsible for doctoral students in his own laboratory and also co-supervises several other PhD students. He is part of the BMedSc programme and hosts MMedSc, BMedSc, MSc and BSc students in his laboratory. Dr Ratnayaka is involved in raising awareness of blinding diseases as well as conditions such as Alzheimer’s and dementia through public lectures and workshops on behalf of patients and charities. He also sits in several scientific advisory panels of grant-awarding bodies and acts as a peer-reviewer for Research Charities, RCUK, the Wellcome Trust and specialist journals in his area of expertise
Qualifications
BSc (Hons) Biochemistry/Immunology, University of Aberdeen with a year industrial placement (Zeneca Pharmaceuticals), (1998)
MPhil (Medicine), DIC (Microbiology), Imperial College, London (2001)
PhD Metabolic and Cellular Medicine, University of Liverpool (2007)
Appointments held
Research Scientist, University of Manchester (2000-2001)
Research Assistant/Associate, University of Liverpool (2003-2006)
Postdoctoral Researcher, King’s College, London (2006-2009)
Research Fellow and Assistant Tutor, University of Sussex (2009-2013)
Lecturer in Vision Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Southampton (2013-present)
