Cagri G. Besirli, MD, PhD

Areas of Interest

Research Areas

Research Summary

Molecular mechanisms of photoreceptor cell death and survival during periods of retinal stress

Dr. Besirli's research focuses on the characterization of pathways critical for cell death during retinal stress, including retinal detachment and macular degeneration. Primary focus is given to the identification of individual proteins that regulate intracellular checkpoints important for retinal cell death or survival, with the ultimate goal of developing new therapeutic agents for clinical use.

Clinical Interests

Gene therapy for inherited retinal diseases
Disease and surgery of the retina and vitreous, including retinal detachment, diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, retinal vascular disease, ocular trauma, ocular inflammation, macular and submacular surgery, and surgical management of complex retinal detachment
Medical and surgical management of acquired and inherited pediatric retinal disorders, including retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR), Coats’ disease, retinal detachment, and ocular trauma

Sub-specialty: Retina

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Patients

Make an appointment with Dr. Besirli
Information for Patients - locations, maps and directions, patient resources
Clinical Service: Retina and Uveitis Service

Referring Physicians

M-LINE, 800-962-3555
Information for Health Providers

Honors & Awards

2018

Clinical Trial, An Open Label, Multi-Centre, Phase I/II Dose Escalation Trial of an Adeno-Associated Virus Vector (AAV2/8-hCARp.hCNGB3) for Gene Therapy of Adults and Children with Achromatopsia Associated with Defects in CNGB3, MeiraGT Limited
Clinical Trial, An Open-label, Multi-Centre, Phase I/II Dose Escalation Trial of an Adeno-Associated Virus Vector (AAV2/5-OPTIRPE65) for Gene Therapy of Adults and Children with Retinal Dystrophy associated with Defects in RPE65 (LCA2), MeiraGTx
Clinical Trial, Long-term follow-up study of participants following an open label, multi-centre, Phase I/II dose escalation trial of an adeno-associated virus vector (AAV2/5-OPTIRPE65 for gene therapy of adults and children with retinal dystrophy due to RPE65 deficiency (LCA2), MeiraGTx Limited
Grant, Metabolic Activation to Prevent Photoreceptor Death in a Preclinical Model of Macular Degeneration, International Retinal Research Foundation
Grant, The Role of HK2 in Photoreceptor Metabolism and Survival, The Macula Society

Credentials

Medical and Graduate School - Washington University in St. Louis, 2006
Residency - Ophthalmology, Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan, 2010
Fellowships

Retina and Uveitis, Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan, 2012
Pediatric Vitreoretinal Diseases, Associated Retinal Consultants, Royal Oak, Michigan