Optic Nerve Engineering Laboratory

Research in our laboratory spans organic chemistry, materials science, electro-optical engineering, and neuroscience. Our aim is to study how microenvironmental factors affect retinal axon regeneration in order to develop multifaceted, translational treatment strategies for optic nerve disorders.

Tissue culture models of the optic chiasm

We are developing techniques for patterning multiple hydrogels in 3D structural arrangements that resemble the optic chiasm. We are utilizing a “dynamic mask" form of soft lithography for the direct microfabrication of photocrosslinkable hydrogel structures, which can be filled with different hydrogels that permit axon growth. The resulting hydrogel constructs will be useful for the study of nerve guidance strategies that mimic development of the optic chiasm and may be useful as part of a treatment strategy for optic nerve regeneration.

This project is funded by the National Institute of Health, and the Louisiana Board of Regents

Photolabile hydrogels for localized ligand immobilization

We are synthesizing new hydrogels and manipulating existing ones in order to derivatize them with protein ligands in specific spatial arrangements. This strategy will be useful for manipulating the molecular tissue culture microenvironment for directing axon growth in 2D or 3D.

Multiscale optical neuroactivation control

A number of techniques for optical control of neuroactivation have recently been developed. We are developing hardware and software for exquisite spatially-encoded control of neuroactivation on multiple length scales. These techniques will be useful for neuroscience research in which control over the activation of large groups of cultured cells in specific locations is desired. The techniques will also allow us to study the effects of the physiological microenvironment on retinal axon regeneration in tissue culture models.

Injectable hydrogels for delivery of ocular therapeutics

We are developing injectable formulations that can be used for the delivery of pharmaceuticals to the eye. We aim to develop novel formulations of already commercialized drugs for treatment of disorders such as glaucoma. Moreover, we are developing systems for delivery of experimental therapeutics such as growth factors for retinal neuroprotection and regeneration.