Greg Pommier L&S Sciences
Development of a Novel 3D Bioscaffold for Trabecular Meshwork Cell Culture
Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible vision loss around the world. Primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), the most common form of glaucoma, arises from functional and morphological pathologies in the trabecular meshwork (TM), a band of tissue in the anterior segment of the eye that regulates intraocular pressure (IOP) by controlling outflow of the aqueous humor.
In this project, I will construct a novel three-dimensional (3D) bioscaffold structure for TM cell culture that will be used to construct a TM tissue model and mimic in vivo conditions. This bioengineering approach to cell culture will allow me to investigate how TM cells modulate fluid flow by observing changes in cell morphology and gene expression. Moreover, this 3D model for human TM (hTM) cell culture is clinically valuable because it will provide an improved mechanistic understanding of TM cell regulation as well as a platform for developing and testing novel pharmacological interventions to prevent POAG.
Message To Sponsor
I wish to extend my sincere gratitude to the Thye Fund. Your support enabled this experience to be enriching, educational, formative, and capacity-building. The practical and interpersonal skills I gained, both in and out of lab, will be useful to me as I embark on my last year at Cal and look towards medical school. Your generosity is much appreciated.