Professor, School of Optometry; Pamela and Kenneth Fong Chair, Vision Science Program
Phone: 510-642-2491
693 Minor Hall
UC Berkeley
Berkeley, CA 94720
Subject areas:
Research
The eye is critical for our vision needed for the life quality. Much of my research in the past decade has been focused on the generation and characterization of mouse genetic models for common eye diseases such as cataracts and retinal degeneration. The research has been directed to elucidate molecular and cellular mechanisms by using multidiscipline approaches with both basic and clinical techniques. The eye, easy accessibility without mortality, becomes one of the first and ideal organs to be targeted by gene therapy and regenerative medicine. Our goal is to develop innovative ways to prevent, delay or cure common eye diseases. Current research topics are: a) Elucidate the genetic variances and membrane/cytoskeleton complexes in the regulation of lens homeostasis, stiffness and transparency. b) Study the cell-cell interactions in angiogenesis in vivo and in 3D cultured system in vitro. c) Using biomaterials to generate artificial lens and other ocular structures. d) The biology and regeneration of retinal pigment epithelium.