Laboratory Research
Bascom Palmer’s laboratory research comprises investigator-directed laboratories that fall within two interdisciplinary programs – biosciences and biomedical engineering. Junior investigators are grouped into interdisciplinary program units. Please scroll down the page to learn more about the research interests of the units and their individual investigators, or click the links below to go directly to specific groups.
Biomedical Science
The biomedical sciences apply the principles of biology to clinical medicine. This expanding field is comprised of geneticists mapping the human genome, neurobiologists modeling brain function, and cell biologists studying cancer and aging at the cellular level. Practical applications include stem cells for organ repair, gene therapy, pharmaceuticals, and molecular diagnostics.
Investigators with entries in the Training Program Affiliations column are faculty members in
one or more of the medical school’s biomedical sciences graduate programs (MCDB, BMB, PBP, MCP, and MBI), the university’s interdisciplinary
neuroscience training programs (NEU), or the ophthalmology clinical training program.
Center for Molecular Ophthalmology & Neuroscience
McKnight building, 4th, 6th and 7th floors
This is a consortium of independent research laboratories taking molecular and cellular approaches, and sharing core resources. The mission is to shed light on the molecular basis of eye disease, then to pair this new knowledge with state-of-the art biotechnology for development of novel therapeutics and diagnostics.
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Program Director
M. Elizabeth Fini, Ph.D.
Tissue Damage, Repair & Regeneration
Investigators
M. Livia Bajenaru, Ph.D.
Optic Nerve Disease & Neuroprotection
Sanjoy K. Bhattacharya, Ph.D.
Neurodegenerative Disease & Vision
Jeffrey L. Goldberg, M.D., Ph.D.
Axon Growth & Regeneration of Nerve Cells
Abigail S. Hackam, Ph.D.
Cellular Mechanisms of Retinal Development, Degeneration, & Tumorigenesis
Dolena R. Ledee, Ph.D.
Ocular Surface Infection & Disease
Richard K. Lee, M.D., Ph.D.
Cellular Pathophysiology of Glaucoma
Wen-Hsiang Lee, M.D., Ph.D.
Retina Degeneration & Repair
Wei Li, Ph.D.
Novel Approaches to Autoimmune Disease
Maria E. Marin-Castano, M.D., Ph.D.
Pathogenesis of Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Victor L. Perez, M.D.
Immune Mechanisms in the Eye
Valery I. Shestopalov, Ph.D.
Cell & Systems Biology of the Eye
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Training Program Affiliation
MCDB, PBP, NEU
NEU, MBB
MCDB, NEU
NEU
MCDB, NEU
MBI, NEU
MBI, NEU
MCDB |
Laboratory for Molecular Genetics
McKnight building, 6th floor
This laboratory takes molecular, genetic, and electrophysiologic approaches to understanding
the function of the eye and its inherited diseases. Projects related to finding the cause, mechanism,
treatment and cure for retinal degenerative diseases including macular degeneration are conducted under
the auspices of the William and Norma Horvitz Retinal Degeneration Center.
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Director
George Inana, M.D., Ph.D.
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Training Program Affiliation
NEU |
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Laboratory for Retinal Neuroplasticity
McKnight building, 2nd floor (experimental models lab)
Anne Bates Leach Eye Hospital, 4th/5th floors (clinical testing lab)
This laboratory uses electrophysiologic, imaging, and genetic approaches to understand the ability of retinal neurons to recover functionally and/or structurally after injury or disease. The focus is on glaucomatous optic neuropathy, and the goal is to develop strategies to prevent and/or restore loss of neural function. Projects are conducted in both human patients and mouse models using non-invasive techniques that allow immediate translation of research findings.
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Director
Vittorio Porciatti, D.Sc.
Co-Investigator
Lori M. Ventura, M.D. |
Training Program Affiliation
NEU
Ophthalmology, Comprehensive Ophthalmology |
Ocular Oncology Laboratory
McKnight building, 7th floor
This laboratory is dedicated to research leading directly to better treatments for ocular tumors. The focus is on combined modality focal therapies. Experimental models are utilized to investigate tumor responses to periocular chemotherapy, external beam radiotherapy, and hyperthermia. The lab actively translates new findings to the clinic.
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Program Director
Timothy G. Murray, M.D.
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Training Program Affiliation
Ophthalmology, Retina |
Laboratory for Retinal Degenerations & Vascular Disorders
McKnight building, 5th floor
The long-term goal of this laboratory is to understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms
of retinal diseases, including retinal degenerations and pathological angiogenesis, and to develop
effective new treatments. Research is focused on inherited photoreceptor degeneration, age-related
macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy.
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Director
Rong Wen, M.D., Ph.D.
Co-Investigator
Yiwen Li, M.D. |
Training Program Affiliation |
Biomedical Engineering
Biomedical engineering is the application of engineering principles and techniques to the medical field. This field covers an array of disciplines, including bioinformatics, medical imaging, image processing, physiological signal processing, biomechanics, biomaterials and bioengineering, systems analysis, 3-D modeling, etc. Examples of concrete applications are the development and manufacture of biocompatible prostheses, medical devices, diagnostic devices and imaging equipment, and drug delivery devices.
Investigators with entries in the Training Program Affiliation column are faculty members in the university’s biomedical engineering training programs (BME) or the department’s clinical ophthalmology training programs.
Center for Ophthalmic Imaging & Biomedical Engineering
McKnight building, 2nd floor
This research unit is a consortium of independent labs and investigators with a common interest in the
optical properties of the eye and imaging technologies. A major focus is to advance the technological
frontiers and develop novel ophthalmic applications for an innovative non-invasive imaging technology
called Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT).
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Director
Carmen A. Puliafito, M.D., M.B.A.
Retinal Pharmacotherapy and Retinal Imaging Technology
Program Consultant
Robert W. Knighton, Ph.D.
Optical Properties of the Eye
Investigators
Delia Cabrera Fernandez, Ph.D.
Quantitative Ophthalmic Imaging
Giovanni Gregori, Ph.D.
Image Processing & Analysis
XiangRun Huang, Ph.D.
Optical Properties of Ocular Tissues
Shuliang Jiao, Ph.D.
Lasers & Imaging
Jianhua (Jay) Wang, M.D., Ph.D.
Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography
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Training Program Affiliation
Ophthalmology, Retina
BME
BME
BME
BME
BME
BME |
Ophthalmic Biophysics Center
McKnight building, 1st and 2nd floors
The Ophthalmic Biophysics Center (OBC) was established in 1970 under the tutelage of Bascom Palmer founder, Edward W.D. Norton, M.D. The center’s mission is to perform translational research benefiting patient eye care. In Dr. Norton’s view, this could be achieved best by transferring state of the art technology (optoelectromechanics, lasers, and polymer chemistry) to the clinical arena. Numerous inventions have been made by the scientists in the OBC, accomplished by working in symphony and with the cooperation of the clinical faculty.
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Director
Jean-Marie Parel, Ph.D.
Co-Director
Fabrice Manns, Ph.D.
Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Ophthalmology
Medical Co-Director
Francisco E. Fantes, M.D.
Investigators
Esdras Arrieta-Quintero, M.D.
Stephen R. Uhlhorn, Ph.D.
Associate Investigators
Fotios M. Andreopoulos, Ph.D.
Department of Surgery
Peter J. Milne, Ph.D.
School of Marine & Atmospheric Sciences
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Training Program Affiliation
BME
BME
Ophthalmology, Glaucoma
BME
BME
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