ST. LOUIS, MO – December 17, 2024 — Taku Yamamoto, MD, PhD, a researcher at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, has been honored with the Vision Research Scientific Foundation (VRSF) Award for his groundbreaking work on immunosenescence, the aging-related transition of the immune system.
Yamamoto’s project focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying altered ocular immune responses associated with aging. This research aims to shed light on why older patients experience a higher incidence of vision loss, particularly those who develop uveitis, a condition characterized by inflammation inside the eye.
“Our goal is to uncover the changes in immune system function that occur with age. By revealing these molecular pathways, we hope to improve our understanding of the connection between aging and vision loss in uveitis patients.”
Taku Yamamoto, PhD
Uveitis remains a leading cause of vision impairment and blindness globally, particularly affecting older populations. Yamamoto’s work has the potential to unlock novel insights into age-related ocular conditions and inform future therapeutic strategies.
The Vision Research Scientific Foundation recognizes exceptional scientists pushing the boundaries of ophthalmic research. Yamamoto’s award highlights WashU Medicine’s commitment to advancing eye care and improving outcomes for patients through pioneering research.
Taku Yamamoto, MD, PhD is a researcher in Dr. Rajendra Apte’s Lab at WashU Medicine.
About WashU Medicine
WashU Medicine is a global leader in academic medicine, including biomedical research, patient care and educational programs with 2,900 faculty. Its National Institutes of Health (NIH) research funding portfolio is the second largest among U.S. medical schools and has grown 56% in the last seven years. Together with institutional investment, WashU Medicine commits well over $1 billion annually to basic and clinical research innovation and training. Its faculty practice is consistently within the top five in the country, with more than 1,900 faculty physicians practicing at 130 locations and who are also the medical staffs of Barnes-Jewish and St. Louis Children’s hospitals of BJC HealthCare. WashU Medicine has a storied history in MD/PhD training, recently dedicated $100 million to scholarships and curriculum renewal for its medical students, and is home to top-notch training programs in every medical subspecialty as well as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and audiology and communications sciences.