Neuroscience
Traumatic optic neuropathy (TON)
Trauma to the head from a vehicle accident, fall, or exposure to a shockwave can result in injury to the optic nerve and progressive blindness even in the absence of any evident physical injuries. Traumatic optic neuropathy (TON) is a condition in which effective treatment remains elusive partly because of our lack of molecular understanding about its onset and progression. We have developed a novel animal model which has allowed us to discern the very early molecular events leading to blindness. We are using this information to develop the first evidence-based therapeutic strategy to avoid vision loss in patients suffering from TON
Axonal guidance pathways
Neurons of our central nervous system (CNS) have to form connections in very precise locations of the brain. That is especially true for the neurons in our visual system in order for us to see a coordinated view of the world. How the guidance cues that originally form these neuronal projection maps act during neurodegenerative diseases or in regeneration is critical to our understanding the role that these processes play in modulating functional outcomes. We have found correlations between the activity of some of the more repulsive/detrimental guidance pathways and the onset of neuropathic disease of the optic nerve. We are now developing new strategies to modulate this signaling with the goal of reversing the disease course
redox states in neurodegeneration
Reduction-oxidation (redox) reactions are fundamental biochemical processes for all living cells. Maintaining an appropriate balance of oxidative and reductive capacity is critical for normal functioning of our tissues. We have noticed that upon injury to the nervous system, an immediate disruption in this balance can be detected. We have further shown that in species where regeneration occurs naturally, nervous tissues are much more resilient to elevated levels of oxidative stress. Addressing mitochondrial health, and minimizing oxidative stress early in neuropathic states is key to preserving neuronal viability and useful vision
Optic nerve regeneration
Halting or reversing the progression of disease processes is the ideal scenario for the conditions we deal with in vision science. But what to do for patients whose disease has already run its course? Is there anything we can envision to help those that have gone blind due to optic neuropathies? This is our aspirational goal - by combining all of our expertise and expanding knowledge in Stem Cell biology, Neuroscience and biochemistry, natural Regenerative processes, Bioengineering, and Clinical Ophthalmology, we hope to one day achieve robust regeneration of the human visual system and thus restoring sight!