Eye Surface and Lens
Protecting, repairing and replacing the eye's window
Research Focus
Without a clear and healthy window from the front of the eye to the retina at the back, vision is not possible. These labs aim to understand the maintanence, deterioration and repair of the eye surface and lens.
Key Research Areas:
- Tear films
- Cornea
- Ocular transparency
Faculty
Anthony Aldave
Professor
Corneal Dystrophies and Gene Therapy
Dr. Aldave's research focuses on the development of novel gene- and cell-based therapies for corneal dystrophies, a group of inherited disorders of the cornea. His laboratory combines clinical genetics with advanced molecular techniques to elucidate the genetic basis of the corneal dystrophies, and to identify target for therapeutic intervention.
Sophie Deng
Professor
Cornea
Dr. Deng's research focuses on corneal stem cell biology and regenerative medicine. Her work aims to develop novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for corneal diseases and injuries through stem cell-based approaches.
Ben Glasgow
Professor
Ophthalmic Pathology
Dr. Glasgow’s research focuses on the role of lipid and protein components in the molecular mechanisms of tear film formation. His laboratory combines biochemical and biophysical techniques to study dynamic interactions of these constituents in relation to dry eye diseases.
Jie J. Zheng
Professor In-Residence
Therapeutic Development and AI-Powered Analysis in Vision Research
Dr. Zheng’s research combines chemical biology, cell biology, computational biology, systems pharmacology, and drug discovery to develop innovative therapies for ophthalmic diseases. Leveraging their multidisciplinary expertise, his laboratory focuses on translating research into novel treatments for glaucoma, retinal diseases, and corneal disorders. Additionally, they employ AI-driven protein-protein interaction analysis to investigate the mechanisms underlying different inherited retinal diseases.