Matthew Benson, MD, MSc, FRCSC

Area of Study / Keywords

Ophthalmic Genetics Inherited Retinal Diseases Retinal Pigment Epithelium Stem Cells Peroxisome Biogenesis Disorders

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About

Dr. Benson is a clinician-scientist and assistant professor in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences. He completed his ophthalmology residency and graduate studies at the University of Alberta. He then pursued subspecialty fellowship training in ophthalmic genetics at the National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health. His clinical interests include ophthalmic genetics and adult strabismus.

Contact details for clinical matters:

Room 2318 10240 Kingsway Ave

Royal Alexandra Hospital

Edmonton AB T5H 3V9

Phone: 780-735-5932

Fax: 780-735-4969

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Research

Our lab investigates disease mechanisms of inherited retinal disorders and macular degeneration using cell culture-based techniques. Specifically, we are interested in understanding the role of peroxisomes in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and how dysfunction of peroxisomes may cause retinal degeneration and blindness. Peroxisomes are subcellular organelles that have critical roles in lipid metabolism and cellular detoxification. Reduction in the number and function of peroxisomes is linked to neurodegenerative diseases and aging. 

We generate stem cell-derived human RPE to study the consequence of peroxisome dysfunction in a disease-relevant cell type. Ultimately, our lab aims to identify precision medicine approaches to restore vision in patients with inherited retinal diseases and macular degeneration.

Laboratory Members

Staff Scientist

Dr. Lance Doucette

Graduate Students

Ehsan Misaghi

Constantin Mouzaaber

Clinical Trials

Rita Whitford

Alex Bolivar

Research Assistants

Danny Kalra

Chris Lam

Nourseen Aboelnazar

Medical Students

Hamed Hojjat

Arijit Lodha

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Teaching

Courses

OPHTH 600A&B - Seminar in Ophthalmology

OPHTH 601 - Ocular Genetics

OPHTH 601 - Ocular Genetics

This course provides a comprehensive overview of various aspects of eye genetics including both basic science studies and clinical conditions. Clinical case studies and their investigation will form part of the course. Offered in alternate years. Format includes didactic lectures supplemented by brief student presentations and guest speakers. Grades are assigned according to participation and a final exam. Prerequisite: Familiarity with medical genetics and ophthalmology and the consent of the Department.

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Browse more courses taught by Matthew Benson

Brandon C. Huynh, Narin Sheri, Matthew D. Benson

Ophthalmic Genetics. 2026 July; 10.1080/13816810.2026.2631747

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Constantin Mouzaaber, Carly B Feldman, Suzette M Huguenin, John Y S Han, Erin Trombly, Qitao Zhang, Aja Rieger, Hamed Hojjat, Brandon C Huynh, Ehsan Misaghi, Alina Radziwon, Temesgen D Fufa, Robert B Hufnagel, Jason M L Miller, Matthew D Benson

bioRxiv [preprint]. 2026 March; 10.64898/2026.02.01.70157

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Cyndy Liu, Narin Sheri, Matthew D. Benson

Genes. 2025 October; 10.3390/genes16101183

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Karen Attia, Ifrah Anjum, Susanne Lingrell, Matthew D Benson, Ian M MacDonald, Jennifer C Hocking

Experimental Eye Research. 2025 September; 10.1101/2025.09.15.676399

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Ehsan Misaghi, Peter Kannu, Ian M. MacDonald, Matthew D. Benson

Experimental Eye Research. 2024 December; 251 (110211) 10.1016/j.exer.2024.110211

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Benson MD, Mukherjee S, Agather AR, Blain D, Cunningham D, Mays R, Sun X, Li T, Hufnagel RB, Brooks BP, Huryn LA, Zein WM, Cukras CA

Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science. 2023 September; 10.1167/iovs.64.12.19

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Sabrina C Fox, Sonya A Widen, Mika Asai-Coakwell, Serhiy Havrylov, Matthew Benson, Lisa B Prichard, Pranidhi Baddam, Daniel Graf, Ordan J Lehmann, Andrew J Waskiewicz

Human Genetics. 2022 January; 141 (8):1385-1407 10.1007/s00439-022-02430-3

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Matthew D Benson, Kimberly M Papp, Geoffrey A Casey, Alina Radziwon, Chris D St. Laurent, Lance P Doucette, Ian M MacDonald

Ophthalmology Science. 2021 January; 1 (2):100028 10.1016/j.xops.2021.100028

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