The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) is at the forefront of advancing global research aimed at unraveling the complexities of the visual system and combatting its disorders. From May 5th to May 9th, visionaries and experts congregated in Seattle, Washington, for the ARVO 2024 Annual Meeting, a pivotal event showcasing the latest […]
Congratulations to WashU Ophthalmology Resident, Matt Elitt, MD, PhD and Case Western Reserve’s Tesar Lab colleagues, on the advancement of ION356 to a phase I human clinical trial. Dr. Elitt’s doctoral research published in Nature demonstrated a novel method to pharmacologically target the pathology of Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease (PMD), representing the first potential treatment option for patients and […]
In April, Natalia Morales, MD, our talented second-year resident, presented at the Cogan Ophthalmology Historical Society Annual Meeting held at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami. Natalia’s research on the history of trachoma, a leading cause of blindness worldwide, formed the basis of her thought-provoking talk titled “The Influence of Trachoma on the Establishment of […]
We are thrilled to announce the publication of a groundbreaking study titled “LXR/CD38 Activation Drives Cholesterol-Induced Macrophage Senescence and Neurodegeneration via NAD+ Depletion“, authored by Ryo Terao, MD, PhD; Mitsukuni Yoshida, MD, PhD; Rajendra Apte, MD, PhD; and colleagues from the Apte Lab. In this study, our researchers unveil critical molecular mechanisms linking dysregulated cholesterol […]
We are thrilled to announce Charles Pfeifer as the distinguished recipient of the highly acclaimed 2024 Dr. Philip Needleman Pharmacology Award. This honor is bestowed upon a graduating student who has exhibited exceptional accomplishments in the field of Pharmacology. Founded in 1991 by Ms. Sima Needleman in tribute to her husband’s unwavering dedication to scholarship […]
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a prevalent eye disease that affects millions of individuals aged 60 and older. Understanding the pathogenesis and developing effective treatments for this condition is crucial. In honor of Dr. Roger H. Johnson, an accomplished ophthalmologist and his dedication to advancing AMD research, the Roger H. Johnson Award was established. This […]
Dr. Margaret M. Reynolds, a renowned researcher at Washington University, has recently been awarded an internal CTRFP grant titled “Phenotype After Refractive Surgery for Autism Spectrum Disorder.” This grant aims to support innovative research projects that can translate scientific discoveries into tangible improvements in human health. The grant, administered by the Institute of Clinical and […]
Graduate student Tim Lee from the Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences (DBBS), working in collaboration with the Apte Lab, has published a new paper revealing a significant discovery in the realm of photoreceptor dysfunction. The research, titled “Identification of IMPDH as a Therapeutically Modifiable Target of AMP Kinase in Rod Photoreceptors,” sheds light on […]
Congratulations to MSTP Student Joseph Lin on Collaborative Breakthrough Publication in Cell Reports Medicine: Targeting cell-type-specific, choroid-peripheral immune signaling to treat age-related macular degeneration The Apte Lab is proud to announce the groundbreaking collaborative research publication by MSTP student Joseph Lin and the Ruzycki Lab. The study, published in Cell Reports Medicine, addresses age-related macular […]
Congratulations to Dr. Mitsukuni Yoshida from the Apte lab, who has been chosen by the American Society for Clinical Investigation (ASCI) as an Emerging-Generation (E-Gen) Awardee. The ASCI acknowledges post-MD, pre-faculty appointment physician-scientists actively involved in immersive research, providing them with access to the ASCI joint meeting and longitudinal programming over a 2-year period. Mitsu […]
Research led by Apte is the focus of a $15 million pledge from philanthropist Jeffrey T. Fort, to accelerate research and develop new treatments for diseases that cause vision loss.
We are thrilled to announce that Rajendra Apte, MD, PhD has recently been awarded a $300,000 Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB)/American Macular Degeneration Foundation (AMDF) Catalyst Award for Innovative Research Approaches for AMD. This prestigious award serves as a testament to Dr. Apte’s commitment to advancing knowledge in the field of ophthalmology, particularly in the […]
In a momentous stride towards advancing our understanding of macular and retinal diseases, Dr. Mary-Grace Reeves, MD, MBA, has recently been honored as a recipient of the prestigious 2023 VitreoRetinal Surgery Foundation Research Award. This recognition not only underscores her dedication to the field but also highlights the significance of her groundbreaking work in the […]
Dr. Walsh has received a K08 federal award for the grant titled ‘Antigen presentation to the adaptive immune system in the choroid contributes to ocular autoimmune disease’. Uveitis is one of the leading causes of preventable blindness, and while much work has gone into evaluating the effects of T cell-derived cytokines, there is a significant […]
Congratulations Dr. Apte! Rajendra Apte, MD, PhD, Paul A. Cibis Distinguished Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences received an award from the Carl Marshall & Mildred Almen Reeves Foundation entitled ‘Cross-tissue Receptor Ligand Interactions to Identify Novel Targets in Neovascular AMD’. This grant will be used to fund studies that help us identify novel therapeutic targets […]
Congratulations Dr. Ferguson! Dr. Ferguson recently received a sub award from a R01 that Dr. Vladimir Kefalov at the university of California, Irvine received entitled “Modulation of cone photoreceptor function by autophagy”. Autophagy is an intracellular process that supports cell survival through the recycling of macromolecular complexes by the removal of nonfunctional and potentially toxic […]
Diabetic retinopathy, a major concern for individuals with diabetes, has long been associated with the risk of vision loss and blindness. This condition, driven in part by the actions of retinal immune cells known as microglia, takes a significant toll on those it affects. In a groundbreaking publication, Charles Pfeifer, PhD, from the laboratory of […]
Congratulations Dr. Siegfried! Carla Siegfried, MD, Jacquelyn E. and Allan E. Kolker, MD, Distinguished Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences received a new NIH RO1 Grant entitled ‘Racial disparities of open-angle glaucoma: A study of mitochondria and oxidative stress in human trabecular meshwork’. Glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness worldwide and frequent cause of visual […]
Thank you for everything that you do! We would like to acknowledge and celebrate the hard work and impressive accomplishments of our postdoctoral appointees at Washington University. The contributions of our postdocs are an integral part of the world-class education and research at Washington University. Their energy and talent are vital to our thriving and […]
Congratulations to Charles Pfeifer on successfully defending your thesis! You have worked hard to achieve this significant milestone in your academic career.