Wang Lab

Qian Wang, PhD

Signaling networks in eye development and diseases

The Wang Lab’s research examines the signaling networks that control ocular tissue development and homeostasis, particularly the ocular lens and ocular gland (lacrimal gland), with an emphasis on how these processes contribute to congenital and degenerative eye diseases.

Research Overview

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We use mouse models to investigate signaling networks underlying eye development and the mechanisms of ocular diseases. We are particularly interested in two ocular tissues, the ocular lens and the ocular gland (lacrimal gland). 

We use a combination of techniques including mouse genetics, imaging, cell/molecular biology techniques, and computational/bioinformatic analysis. We are also actively exploring the collaboration with clinicians to conduct research with human eye specimens. 

Lens Development 

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The ocular lens is a transparent structure located at the center of the eye, responsible for focusing light onto the retina to enable clear vision. We are interested in fundamental questions surrounding lens development as well as the mechanisms of lens pathology.

Our research is guided by a fundamental set of questions:

1. What signals control lens morphogenesis? 
2. How do different signaling pathways crosstalk to each other? 
3. How does lens develop into a transparent structure? 
4. How does lens maintain its transparency? 

Stages of early lens development in mouse embryos (Cvekl and Zhang, 2017). 

Mouse lens development begins with the specification of the lens field (surface ectoderm) at embryonic day E8.5 (A), followed by thickening of the surface ectoderm to form the lens placode at E9.5 (B). At E10.5, the lens placode invaginates to form the lens pit (C), which develops into the lens vesicle by E11.5 (D). Once the lens vesicle separates from the surface ectoderm, the anterior cells maintain their epithelial property while the posterior cells differentiate and elongate into lens fibers (E). Disturbances in these steps can cause lens developmental defects, leading to congenital eye diseases. For examples, failure of lens vesicle separation from the surface ectoderm results in the lens-corneal attachment and formation of persistent lens stalk, a condition known as Peters anomaly in humans. We are currently studying signaling networks that control the lens-corneal separation process.  

Lacrimal Gland Development

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The lacrimal gland is a tear-secreting organ which lubricates and protects the ocular surface. Common conditions related to lacrimal gland dysfunction include dry eye disease, Sjogren’s syndrome (an autoimmune disorder), and dacryoadenitis (inflammation of the lacrimal gland). Understanding lacrimal gland development, function, and pathology is critical for addressing various eye diseases and conditions related to tear production and regulation.