Labs

Innate immunity and immune effector mechanisms in the retina; oxidative stress and cell death; models of developmental angiogenesis and neovascularization; inflammation and photoreceptor survival; macular degeneration

Understanding the cellular basis of transparency and accommodation in the lens of the eye

Currently our goals are to elucidate the mechanistic and physiological functions of RGS proteins in the cardiovascular, nervous and visual systems through biochemical, cell biological, genetic and physiologic studies of knockout and transgenic mice. 

Our studies of the visual system in mice are aimed at understanding how the visual cortex is subdivided into different areas, how the network of connections between areas develops, how it is organized in the adult and how it is altered by visual experience. Interareal networks are important for visual perception and visually guided actions. 

The major goal of our laboratory research is to identify the molecular mechanism(s) regulating photoreceptor gene expression in the mammalian retina and the implications of these mechanisms for understanding photoreceptor degenerative diseases and developing therapeutic treatments for these diseases.

Analysis of the temporally regulated program of retinal cell type specification.

We are interested in the transcriptional regulatory networks that underlie the development, evolution, and diseases of photoreceptors in the retina. We are taking a multi-disciplinary approach to the problem of how a network of transcription factors orchestrates the expression of distinct cohorts of downstream genes to build this complex micromachine, the photoreceptor cell.

The laboratory studies the role of autophagy in the pathogenesis of eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and other retinal degenerative diseases. 

Dr. Gordon works closely with the Vision Research Coordinating Center. The mission of the Vision Research Coordinating Center (VRCC) is to conduct pilot studies to provide a sound scientific foundation for more definitive larger studies to develop new outcome measures, to design and implement observational studies and clinical trials. The VRCC also serves as the coordinating center for two multi-center clinical studies funded by the National Institutes of Health.

• Corneal epithelial wound healing
• Corneal neovascularization
• Corneal stromal dystrophies
• Corneal Stem cells and Dry eye

Diagnosis, treatment and epidemiology of glaucoma

We would like to understand the principles that guide the assembly of neural circuits and to decipher the way they process information. Our efforts concentrate on the mammalian retina.

The primary focus of the Margolis laboratory is research on the cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate the establishment and maintenance of latent neuronal infection with herpes simplex virus (HSV). Ongoing research is aimed at documenting the role of both neuronal and viral gene expression in the establishment and maintenance of HSV latency.

The goal of our lab is to identify the structural and developmental principles that turn agglomerations of cells into image processing circuitry.

• Pathogenic mechanisms in diabetic retinopathy
• neuronal damage in diabetes mellitus

Our research focuses on the molecular genetic basis of eye diseases including; cataracts, glaucoma and eye movement disorders.

Glaucoma: The diagnostic and therapeutic assessment of glaucoma, including pharmacological, surgical, and laser treatment, patient support and decision making models in glaucoma.

My laboratory studes how the brain, and especially the cerebral cortex, combines sensory information with higher order cognition (rules, memory, etc.) in order to drive motor commands. Much of our work is focused on spatial processing for guiding eye and arm movements.

Studies in my laboratory aim to determine the role of ATP-mediated (purinergic) neurotransmission in the mammalian retina. 

Dr. Tychsen’s laboratory work is focused broadly on development of binocular vision in infant humans and monkeys, and specifically on neural mechanisms in strabismus (the clinical disorder of crossed-eyes)