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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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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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Tyson Kim, MD, PhD

Assistant Professor

 

Advanced Optical Methods for Studying Eye Disease

Dr. Kim is a clinician-scientist with a background in biological and optical engineering, vascular development, and ophthalmology. He is passionate about innovation and his research centers on studying cellular-level dynamics and physiology in intact tissues with an emphasis on developmental and vascular diseases of the eye. The complex interaction of tissues in these diseases can be challenging or impossible to understand through traditional assays such as cell or organ tissue culture. The Kim lab therefore develops advanced optical and analytical methods, and merges these with genetic tools to observe and alter the cellular and physiological mechanisms driving disease longitudinally over time in intact living organisms. The Kim lab is also passionate in developing and translating optical technologies to improve ophthalmic care for patients.

 

To Learn More:

https://profiles.ucsf.edu/tyson.kim
https://ophthalmology.ucsf.edu/kimlab/

 

Research Areas:

Visual System Development, Biomedical Optics, Vascular Biology
 
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David Copenhagen, PhD

Professor

 

Light Exposure on Behavior, Neural Development and Vascular Maturation

Dr. Copenhagen’s research focuses on understanding where and how visual experience exerts its actions on the refinement of the neural retina and the ocular vasculature. A recently discovered photosensitive system within the eye that is independent of rods and cones endows very young animals with rudimentary photoreceptive capabilities. Light activation of these melanopsin expressing ganglion cells guide behavioral responses and modifies vascular development. His lab seeks to discover the extended manifestations of light exposure on behavior, neural development and vascular maturation.

 

To Learn More:

https://profiles.ucsf.edu/david.copenhagen

 

Research Areas:

Visual System Development
 
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Erik Ullian, PhD

Professor

 

Synapse Formation and Function in the Visual System

Dr. Ullian, Professor of Ophthalmology, studies molecular mechanisms that regulate synapse formation and function in the visual system. He has used cell culture systems to screen for genes and small RNAs that impact synaptic transmission. His laboratory has identified the miRNA pathway as an important regulator of a variety of neuronal and synaptic processes relevant to visual system development. The Ullian lab is also studying the interactions between neurons and glia that are required for proper development and function of the nervous system. He is developing astrocyte, neuron, and microglial 3D organoids to model key aspects of neurodegenerative diseases. In addition to graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, Dr. Ullian has mentored K awardees, including Dr. Yvonne Ou. Scholars who are interested in the interactions of neurons and glia in the visual system will be interested in the Ullian lab.

 

To Learn More:

https://profiles.ucsf.edu/erik.ullian
https://ullianlab.ucsf.edu/

 

Research Areas:

Visual System Development, Retina or Retinal Diseases, Stem Cell Research
 
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Kayarat Nair, PhD

Assistant Professor

 

Mechanisms of Glaucoma and Ocular Growth

The Nair lab studies the genetics and biology of ocular diseases with a primary focus on glaucoma and relevant phenotypes. Glaucoma is a heterogeneous group of diseases characterized by death of retinal ganglion cells, specific visual field deficits, and optic nerve degeneration. It is a leading cause of blindness worldwide and affects over 70 million people. The genes and molecular mechanisms contributing to glaucoma are poorly understood. Our goal is to identify genes, molecular mechanisms and cellular networks contributing to glaucoma. Individuals with refractive errors (both myopia or hyperopia) are at a higher risk of developing glaucoma. Another focus of the lab is to understand the role of refractive error in the pathogenesis of glaucoma. Our laboratory employs a variety of multi-disciplinary approaches to dissect the role of complex disease associated genes at a mechanistic level. We have established important mouse models that recapitulate features of the human disease. They provide us the platform to discover new genes/pathways, elucidate the molecular mechanisms, contributing to glaucoma as well as to test hypothesis and new treatment ideas. In parallel, we employ tools of human genetics as a path towards the identification of disease genes.

 

To Learn More:

https://profiles.ucsf.edu/kayarat.nair
https://ophthalmology.ucsf.edu/nairlab/

 

Research Areas:

Glaucoma, Gene Research, Visual System Development
 
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Xin Duan, PhD

Professor

 

The molecular and cellular basis of neural circuit wiring and rewiring

The Duan lab’s goal is to reconstruct neural circuits and restore normal function in the setting of neuronal injury. Trainees will develop skills in imaging using confocal microscopy, adeno-associated virus (AAV) production, CRISPR mutagenesis, performing mouse ocular injections, isolating of retinal neurons for RNASeq, and measuring the functional properties of retinal ganglion cells through patch clamp retinal electrophysiology. He has mentored 4 postdoctoral fellows, 3 graduate students, 1 medical student, 10 summer students and undergraduate students and 2 visiting international scholars. Drs Duan and Dunn were awarded the 2017-18 Weill Trailblazer award to collaborate on how the retina “talks” to the brain. Scholars interested in circuit assembly and neuronal repair in the central nervous system will find opportunities in the Duan lab.

 

To Learn More:

https://profiles.ucsf.edu/xin.duan

 

Research Areas:

Retina or Retinal Diseases, Visual System Development, Glaucoma
 
 
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