Brian Ballios MD PhD

Physician Scientist, Retinal Disease and Ocular Genomics, Assistant Professor | @UofTDOVS | @UofTmedicine | @DKJEI_UHN | @UHN | @Sunnybrook | Opinions my own

[Donald K. Johnson Eye Institute @DKJEI_UHN]

📢 New publication alert!

A recent paper led by Dr. Brian Ballios, Clinician-Scientist @dkjei_uhn, identified a newly discovered structure in the rod photoreceptor cells of human retinal organoids, called the accessory inner segment.

Read more >> https://t.co/QOyL5nnsad (1/3)

[Donald K. Johnson Eye Institute @DKJEI_UHN]

The Clinical Research Unit @DKJEI_UHN is marking the one-year anniversary of its collaboration with the Cancer Clinical Research Unit @pmcancercentre.

Read more in our newsletter >> https://t.co/OqB7mfq7e0
#InternationalClinicalTrialsDay #ClinicalResearch #VisionResearch

[BalliosLab @BalliosLab]

We are excited to share our latest publication in Stem Cell Reviews and Reports! 🎉👁️🔬In this study, we provide the first evidence of accessory inner segment (aIS)-like structures in the photoreceptors of human retinal organoids: https://t.co/yo9hi8aH0N

[Brian Ballios MD PhD @BrianBallios]

@SivakLab @brightfocus @DKJEI_UHN @KBI_UHN @UHN_Research Congratulations, Jeremy !

[Donald K. Johnson Eye Institute @DKJEI_UHN]

Kristen Ashworth, PhD student in Dr. Brian Ballios' lab @DKJEI_UHN, was recently featured in Fighting Blindness Canada’s national newsletter.

The story highlights the intersection of her research and her volunteer work with the community it serves >> https://t.co/2G8vF2QadH

[Donald K. Johnson Eye Institute @DKJEI_UHN]

Jackson Zhang didn’t plan to go to the Everest Base Camp—at least not the way most people plan life‑changing adventures.

The idea began as a joke, tossed around during his time as a Master’s student in Dr. Brian Ballios’ lab @DKJEI_UHN.

Read more >> https://t.co/QPE2rnX6Rx

[UHN Research @UHN_Research]

A @DKJEI_UHN team is moving us closer to a future where blindness may not be inevitable in #RetinitisPigmentosa (RP). 👁️

In a new study, the team offer a new lab RP model and a first look at the disease’s development.

🔗 Read more: https://t.co/vjicO1cYEk

[BalliosLab @BalliosLab]

Our new study is out! “USH2A-Mutated Human Retinal Organoids Model Rod–Cone Dystrophy.” We identify early molecular changes and later degenerative features, suggesting USH2A RP begins in development before symptoms emerge and informing targeted therapies. https://t.co/yedWiVUfaa

[Brian Ballios MD PhD @BrianBallios]

USH2A-Mutated Human Retinal Organoids Model Rod–Cone Dystrophy https://t.co/q4UHyuJ64u

[Donald K. Johnson Eye Institute @DKJEI_UHN]

This Inherited Retinal Diseases (#IRDs) Month, we asked members of @DKJEI_UHN @UHN why they dedicate their work to IRD research and care.

For more information on IRDs and current research, visit >> https://t.co/Jxz4HVhvH7
#IRDAwarenessMonth

@UHN_Research
@KBI_UHN
@uhnfoundation

[Donald K. Johnson Eye Institute @DKJEI_UHN]

Inherited Retinal Diseases (IRDs) are a group of disorders affecting retinal function in 20,000+ Canadians.

This #IRDAwarenessMonth, learn more about IRDs and how genetic testing guides patients through precise diagnoses.

For more information, visit >> https://t.co/iaNo2VHWUN

[Donald K. Johnson Eye Institute @DKJEI_UHN]

Meet Zahra Baghestani, who recently joined @DKJEI_UHN as the new Clinical Research Manager.

In her new role, Zahra will support the coordination and regulatory management of clinical trial projects.

Read in our newsletter >> https://t.co/TOsAYEMy8T

[Retina @RetinaJournal]

ADAPTIVE OPTICS IN RETINITIS PIGMENTOSA
Mihalache, Andrew MD(C); et. al.
Retina 45(7):p 1375-1388, July 2025
https://t.co/S9RFgmM0OY
#retina
@AndrewMihalache @RSTHuang @PopovicMM @BrianBallios @RaHMu123

[Donald K. Johnson Eye Institute @DKJEI_UHN]

#DYK: Usher Syndrome (USH) is a leading cause of combined hearing and vision loss.

A new systematic review led by Dr. Brian Ballios @DKJEI_UHN, finds that most studies overlook the vision side of the condition, despite its profound impact >> https://t.co/yUEO2YwSOn (1/2)

[PSI Foundation @PSIFoundation]

Drs. @BrianBallios and Thomas Wright (@uoftmedicine)'s study on development and validation of machine learning models to screen for #HCQ retinal toxicity: https://t.co/QMdf17XqSc #VisionHealthMonth #EyeHealth #VisionLoss

[Donald K. Johnson Eye Institute @DKJEI_UHN]

Congratulations to Jackson, MSc student in Dr. @BrianBallios lab, for winning 1st place in the grad student oral presentation, also to Laura and Jennifer, both are PhD students in Dr. @karunsinghneuro lab, for coming in 2nd and 3rd in the grad student poster presentation.

[Fighting Blindness Canada @FB_Canada]

Dr. Matthew Benson, University of Alberta, is one of the recipients of the 2024 Fighting Blindness Canada Research Grant. He explains how important the grant is to his goals of developing therapies to prevent vision loss.

[Donald K. Johnson Eye Institute @DKJEI_UHN]

#DKJEIYearInReview: Day 1

Earlier this year, @DKJEI_UHN's Clinical Research Unit opened @UHN, a dedicated space to translate discoveries into clinical applications, to help preserve and restore vision.

Learn more about the CRU >> https://t.co/I6cSFhXI92
#KrembilYearInReview

[Donald K. Johnson Eye Institute @DKJEI_UHN]

“The quality of all the research being done here at DKJEI is inspiring and it’s gratifying to know that our work will have translational benefits.”

Meet Cassandra D’Amata, the Lab Manager for Dr. Brian Ballios’ lab @DKJEI_UHN.

Read in our newsletter >> https://t.co/fGQxCSl7iB

[Donald K. Johnson Eye Institute @DKJEI_UHN]

On Friday, we celebrated the incredible careers and lasting contributions of four retiring(ed) clinicians @DKJEI_UHN: Drs. Michael Brent, Yvonne Buys, Shaun Singer and Graham Trope.

Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate this special moment!