Jeffrey W. Berger Memorial Medical Student Research Award recipient David Camacho presented his groundbreaking work in the field of ophthalmology, specifically targeting the treatment of optic neuropathies like optic neuritis, ischemic optic neuropathy, and glaucoma. These conditions, known for causing significant visual loss, have limited therapeutic options, making his research especially vital.
Under the mentorship of Ahmara Ross, MD, PhD; Dr. Kenneth Shindler, MD, PhD, and others, Camacho has developed a promising approach using gene therapy to treat dysfunctional retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). His work involves the cultivation of human retinal ganglion cells from induced pluripotent stem cells, a technique that allows for precise in vitro modeling of cell physiology.
The focal point of Camancho’s research is the application of a novel anti-oxidative stress gene therapy known as SIRT1. This therapy has shown preliminary success in enhancing the resilience and functionality of RGCs against stressors, marking a significant stride towards effective treatments.
"This has led to the first evidence of the efficiency and effectiveness of our gene therapy in human retinal ganglion cells, a crucial step for moving this therapy forward to patients," Camacho states, acknowledging the pivotal support from the Berger Foundation in his research journey.
Anny Zhong, another recipient of the Jeffrey W. Berger Memorial Medical Student Research Award, is making significant advances in the treatment of glaucoma through her innovative research on GLP-1 agonists. Working under the guidance of Qi Cui, MD, PhD, Zhong's study builds on previous findings from Dr. Cui’s lab, which demonstrates the neuroprotective properties of GLP-1 agonists in hypertensive glaucoma.
Zhong's research involves a meticulous examination of the specific mechanisms by which GLP-1 agonists confer neuroprotection to retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in glaucoma models. Utilizing a magnetic microbead model to induce glaucoma in mice, her team applies various formulations of GLP-1 agonists—topical, systemic, and peripheral—to determine their efficacy in rescuing and preserving RGC functionality.
"Our goal is to pinpoint which downstream effects of the GLP-1 agonist are most beneficial in protecting the eye," Zhong explains in her acceptance speech during the Vision Science Symposium, where she and David were honored by the Scheie community. By comparing the outcomes across different treatment modalities, her research aims to elucidate the pathways through which GLP-1 agonists can potentially serve as a novel therapeutic approach for glaucoma prevention and treatment.
by Maressa Park