PI: Jesse Berry, MD
Project: Validation of an Aqueous Humor Liquid Biopsy for Molecular Prognostication and Monitoring of Children with Retinoblastoma (R01CA282759)
Description: Retinoblastoma is an eye cancer that forms in the developing retina of young children; it is unique in that it cannot be directly biopsied, making tumor tissue unavailable. As a result, there is a lack of understanding of the association between the clinical behavior of this cancer and the mechanisms that drive this behavior. This research project proposes to use the aqueous humor as a liquid biopsy for molecular characterization and prognostic biomarker validation for this cancer to help the design of future clinical trials for these children.

PI: Sarah Hamm-Alvarez, PhD
Project: Protein-polymer Nanomedicine for Sjogren’s Syndrome (R01EY026635)
Description: Sjögren’s syndrome is an autoimmune disease associated with inflammation and decreased function of lacrimal and salivary glands, and systemic inflammation of other internal organs. Treatment options are limited, possibly because approved treatments do not achieve immunomodulation at both local glandular and systemic sites. Capitalizing on the novel properties of elastin-like polypeptides, we develop strategies to more effectively treat local, glandular and systemic symptoms with immunomodulatory agents, and explore their efficacy and toxicity in combination in murine models of the disease.

PI: Kimberly Gokoffski, MD, PhD
Project: Restoration of Optic Nerve Function Driven by In Vivo Multimodal Electrical Stimulation (R01EY035375)
Description: No therapy exists to restore vision in the 80 million people worldwide who are legally blind from diseases of the optic nerve, a nerve comprised of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axons that relay visual information from the eye to the brain. This project builds upon our previous work showing that electric fields direct regeneration of RGC axons in vitro and in vivo. Here, we will lay the groundwork for the development of a breakthrough electric field-based therapy to regenerate the optic nerve using novel waveforms and systems.

PI: Sun Young Lee, MD, PhD
Project: Extracellular Vesicle Therapy for Diabetic Retinopathy (R21EY035425)
Description: This research project focuses on developing a new treatment strategy, active-targeting directed exosome-based biological agents to modulate the neurovascular microenvironment during the development of diabetic retinopathy to prevent the progressive disease process and loss of visual function.

PI: Mahnaz Shahidi, PhD
Project: Retinal Ischemia Treatment by Oxygen Nanobubbles (R21EY035371)
Description: Retinal hypoxia is a key mediator in the pathogenesis of many potentially blinding diseases, such as vascular occlusions and diabetic retinopathy. The findings of the current study will establish a new therapeutic intervention to safely oxygenate the retinal tissue and prevent vision loss.

PI: Qifa Zhou, PhD
Project: High-Resolution Flow Imaging of Optic Nerve Head and Retrolaminar Microvascular Circulation (R01EY035084)
Description: This research project aims to build a high frequency 15-20 MHz 2D array that can apply plane wave ultrafast ultrasound. This system will be able to acquire high resolution blood flow imaging of optic never head and retinal vessels, which may be used as a diagnostic tool for glaucoma.

Project: High-Resolution Flow Imaging of Optic Nerve Head and Retrolaminar Microvascular Circulation (R01EY035084)
Description: This research project aims to build a high frequency 15-20 MHz 2D array that can apply plane wave ultrafast ultrasound. This system will be able to acquire high resolution blood flow imaging of optic never head and retinal vessels, which may be used as a diagnostic tool for glaucoma.

Project: High-Resolution Flow Imaging of Optic Nerve Head and Retrolaminar Microvascular Circulation (R01EY035084)
Description: This research project aims to build a high frequency 15-20 MHz 2D array that can apply plane wave ultrafast ultrasound. This system will be able to acquire high resolution blood flow imaging of optic never head and retinal vessels, which may be used as a diagnostic tool for glaucoma.