Research
The Ophthalmic Neuro-Regeneration Laboratory is dedicated to identifying and understanding the pathways of improving retinal ganglion cell function and creating translational treatments for glaucoma and optic neuropathies. Using cutting edge molecular, physiologic, and genetic approaches, the Laboratory has been using multiple cellular, animal, and human models of glaucoma and optic neuropathy to improve the function of sick retinal ganglion cells and prevent their death to treat these sight-threatening eye diseases.
Among the genetic approaches the Laboratory is using are optogenetic technologies which allow for activation and stimulation of genetically created pathways for retinal ganglion cell function, which can be translated to human gene therapy approaches for visual recovery. This is an important approach because current research approaches that are currently being investigated – such as stem cell transplantation – will not work given the myriad technical issues associated with re-constituting vision. For example, as in our proposed “switchboard dilemma”, transplanted retinal stem cells cannot home in to the correct interneurons in the pathway to vision in the visual cortex and therefore make incorrect connections that will result in worse vision. However, by improving and augmenting the strength of existing visual stimuli (neuro-rejuvenation) and promoting survival of existing connect retinal ganglion cells (neuro-regeneration), our Laboratory seeks to improve vision using existing pathways which can offer realistic expectations as treatments for visual recovery and prevention of neurodegeneration.
Our Laboratory also has identified the formation of an optic nerve scar in traumatic damage of the optic nerve. We are understanding what causes this scar, how it forms, and how to affect its formation to prevent vision loss and encourage nerve re-generation to treat optic nerve damage.