Luciano C. Greig, MD, PhD

Assistant Professor

 

Retinal Development and Regeneration

The Greig lab investigates genetic regulation of cell identity acquisition in the retina to inform development of stem cell therapies for currently irreversible causes of vision loss. The retina is a complex brain structure comprised of over 50 neuron types that are tasked with detecting light and processing this raw input to begin extracting visual information. We are interested in understanding how gene regulatory networks direct neural progenitors to generate these diverse classes and subtypes of retinal neurons, and how these neurons assemble into functional neural circuits. Our second goal is to formulate therapeutic strategies to repair retinal pathology by applying these basic developmental biology insights. In particular, we aim to reprogram Müller glia into replacement retinal ganglion cells or photoreceptors. As an additional area of interest, we focus on technology development, with a particular emphasis on genetic analysis and manipulation in mice. Currently, we are developing new methods for 1) mosaic analysis to facilitate phenotypic analysis of gene function at the cellular level and for 2) tracking cells during identity reprogramming experiments to detect instances of cell fusion, material transfer, or aberrant promoter activity.

 

To Learn More:




 

Research Areas:

Diabetic Retinopathy, Macular Degeneration, Myopia, Retina or Retinal Diseases, Stem Cell Research, Visual System Development, Retina Regeneration
 
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Yoshihiro Ishikawa, PhD.

Assistant Professor

 

Studying the structure-function relationship between collagen and its biosynthetic molecules

Yoshihiro Ishikawa, Ph.D. has studied how collagens are produced in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) for over 15 years. Using diverse approaches, including biochemical, biophysical, and structural analysis and animal models, I have contributed significantly to the fundamental understanding of how collagen biosynthesis is orchestrated. He has functionally characterized over ten collagen-related biosynthetic molecules, including rER chaperones and enzymes required for posttranslational modifications. Furthermore, his in vitro studies identified unique patterns in collagen posttranslational modifications in different collagen types and specific molecular interactions between rER proteins, collagens, and other extracellular matrix proteins. While many studies on type IV collagen and its mutations using cell biology and model organisms have been reported, it’s still challenging to investigate the details of type IV collagen molecules with biochemical and biophysical approaches. To fill this important gap in our knowledge, he is uniquely qualified to conduct type IV collagen biochemistry and biophysics at UCSF.

 

To Learn More:

https://profiles.ucsf.edu/yoshihiro.ishikawa


 

Research Areas:

Gene Research, Retina or Retinal Diseases, Protein Folding and Quality Control
 
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Manvi Prakash Maker, MD, MS

Associate Professor

 

Diabetic Eye Care & Medical Retinal Specialist and Cataract Surgeon

Dr. Manvi P Maker is a medical retinal specialist, with specialized training from Harvard's Joslin Diabetes Institute, Beetham Eye Institute. She is an investigator for the collaborative group called the Diabetic Retiinopathy Clinical Research Network, which performs "high quality, collaborative clinical research that improves vision and quality of life for people with retinal diseases". Dr. Maker sees all patients with medical retina issues and also performs cataract surgery. Her research interest expand to include education, primarily at the ophthalmology resident level.  She has been asked to present her education research on numerous occasions, including in Tokyo at the World Ophthalmology Congress.

 

To Learn More:

https://profiles.ucsf.edu/manvi.maker
 

Research Areas:

Cataract, Diabetic Retinopathy, Retina or Retinal Diseases, Medical Retina
 
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Frank Brodie, MD, MBA

Assistant Professor

 

Technology for Peripheral Retinal Imaging

I have been collaborating extensively with Duke Bioengineering in developing novel technologies to obtain far peripheral OCT imaging of the retina in an effort to detect retinal breaks early and without the challenging and uncomfortable scleral depressed exam. Additionally we have used intraoperative peripheral OCT to visualize subtle pathologic changes not previously noted on clinical exam.

 
 

To Learn More:

https://profiles.ucsf.edu/frank.brodie

Research Areas:

Mobile Health, Retina or Retinal Diseases, OCT, Optical Coherenece Tomography, Peripheral Retina Imaging
 
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Alexander Smith, PhD

Assistant Professor

 

Molecular Mechanisms that Mediate Glial Barrier Function

Glial barriers form at the boundary of healthy nervous system tissue where they control exchange of substances with the surrounding fluids, form a protective barrier to seal off damaged areas and co-ordinate immune signalling with the periphery. By studying the molecular mechanisms that mediate glial barrier function Dr. Smith hopes to improve understanding of their role in disease, optimize the delivery of therapeutics to the central nervous system and identify novel targets for therapeutic intervention.

 

To Learn More:

https://profiles.ucsf.edu/alexander.j.smith


 

Research Areas:

Neuro-Ophthalmology, Retina or Retinal Diseases, Visual System Development
 
 
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Taras Litvin, PhD, OD

Optometrist

 

Management of Glaucoma and Diabetic Retinopathy

Litvin's research focuses on developing and applying novel diagnostic techniques in the management of glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, a condition in which high blood sugar damages blood vessels in the retina.

 

To Learn More:

https://www.ucsfhealth.org/providers/dr-taras-litvin


 

Research Areas:

Diabetic Retinopathy, Glaucoma, Retina or Retinal Diseases
 
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Eugene De Juan, MD

Professor

 

Renowned Retina Specialist, Surgeon and Inventor

Dr. de Juan is a renowned retina specialist and surgeon. His research focuses on medical and surgical treatments for ocular disorders, including advances in ocular drug delivery and drug delivery techniques for age-related macular degeneration. Dr. De Juan holds more than 100 patents for novel surgical devices.

 

To Learn More:

https://profiles.ucsf.edu/eugene.dejuan


 

Research Areas:

Macular Degeneration, Retina or Retinal Diseases
 
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