Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a chronic disease that causes central vision loss and affects one's ability to read, drive, and recognize faces. There are currently no treatments for “dry” AMD, which includes ~80% of AMD patients in Minnesota. Dry AMD is associated with death of the retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells that is largely due to a loss in mitochondrial function.The overall goal of this research is to develop a therapy for patients with dry AMD by identifying drugs that will enhance mitochondrial function, thereby preserving the RPE.

We have generated a novel expeditious model of cigarette smoke-induced COPD in mice that expresses human immune genes and mimics human immune response. Our main goal is to treat emphysema in mice with a novel human oral bacterium (isolated in our laboratory), which is known to be lacking in COPD patients. We believe that this treatment will improvement lung function altered by smoking. Since the bacteria are present in healthy individuals, if proven, this can be used for treating COPD.

A major problem in leukemia treatment is the rise of drug-resistant mutations in the genome of cancer cells, which makes many well-designed cancer drugs ineffective over time. To solve this critical issue, here, we will develop a novel method of killing leukemia cells by inducing them to expel their nuclei.

Research Focus: Leukemias

Year 1 Progress Report: