Foundation Fighting Blindness (FFB)
Active Grants in FY08 (July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008)
Current Total = 128 grants

• Center Grants
• Research Facility Awards
• Individual Grants
  • Career Development Awards
  • Cell-Based Therapy
  • Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Disease
  • Gene Therapy
  • Genetic Studies
  • Neuroprotective Therapy
  • Nutritional/Environmental Therapies

FFB Center Grants

Berman-Gund Laboratory for the Study of Retinal Degenerations
Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, MA
Eliot L. Berson, M.D., Center Director

Eliot L. Berson, M.D., Robert J. Brockhurst, M.D., Bernard Rosner, Ph.D., Michael A. Sandberg, Ph.D., Ernst J. Schaefer, M.D., Walter Willett, M.D.
Module I, Clinical Research Studies of Retinitis Pigmentosa and Allied Diseases

Michael A. Sandberg, Ph.D., Alexander R. Gaudio, M.D., Robert J. Brockhurst, M.D., Eliot L. Berson, M.D.
Module II, Studies of Macular Function

Eliot L. Berson, M.D., Terri L. McGee
Module III, Molecular Genetic Studies of Retinitis Pigmentosa and Allied Diseases

Tiansen Li, Ph.D., Michael A. Sandberg, Ph.D.
Module IV, Animal Models of Retinal Degenerations

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP)-Penn Pediatric Center for Retinal Degenerations
F. M. Kirby Center
305 Stellar Chance Labs
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Jean Bennett, M.D., Ph.D., Center Director

Eric A. Pierce, M.D., Ph.D., Albert Maguire, M.D.
Module I, Clinical Characterization and Treatment of Pediatric Retinal Degenerations

Jean Bennett, M.D. , Albert Maguire, M.D., Jeannette Bennicelli, Ph.D.
Module II, Develop Gene Therapies for Early Onset Retinal Degenerations

Edward N. Pugh, Jr., M.D., Ph.D.
Module IV, Assessment of Retinal Structure and Function with High Resolution Optical Methods

The Cleveland Clinic Foundation Research Center for the Study of Retinal Degenerative Diseases
Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland, OH
Joe G. Hollyfield, Ph.D., Center Director

Joe G Hollyfield, Ph.D.
Module I, A New Mouse Model for AMD

John W Crabb, Ph.D.
Module III, Proteomics and Biomarkers for AMD

Stephanie A. Hagstrom, Ph.D.
Module IV, Genomic Susceptibility Markers For Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Neal Peachey, Ph.D.
Module V, Electrophysiological Markers for Retinal Disease in the Mouse

Greater New York Regional Research Center for the Study of Retinal Degenerative Diseases
New York University School of Medicine
Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute
Columbia University
University of Medicine and Dentistry, New Jersey Medical School
New York, NY and Newark, NJ
Lucian del Priore, M.D., Ronald E. Carr, M.D., Ph.D., Marco Zarbin, M.D., Ph.D., Center Co- Directors

Ronald E. Carr, M.D., Ph.D., Karen Holopigian, Ph.D., William Seiple, Ph.D., Vivienne Greenstein, Ph.D., Donald Hood, Ph.D., Ken Noble, M.D.
Module I, Assessment of Visual Function in Patients with Retinal Diseases

Marco A. Zarbin, M.D.
Module II, Enhancing Cell Survival on Aged Submacular Bruch's Membrane Through Extracellular Matrix Modification

Lucian V. Del Priore, M.D., Ph.D., Hui Cai, M.D., Ph.D.
Module III, Cell-Based Therapy for Retinal Degeneration: Determining the Effects of Cell-substrate Interactions on RPE Transplant Survival and Behavior In Vitro

Rando L. Allikmets, Ph.D.
Module IV, Therapeutic Applications for ABCR-associated Diseases

Stephen P. Goff, Ph.D.
Module V, In Vivo Lentiviral Gene Therapy for Retinal Degeneration

Rando L. Allikmets, Ph.D.
Module VI, Genotyping Microarrays (Disease Chips) for Retinitis Pigmentosa

Jules Stein Eye Institute Research Center for the Study of Retinal Degenerative Diseases
University of California at Los Angeles
Dean Bok, Ph.D., Center Director

Michael Gorin, M.D., Ph.D., Steven Nusinowitz, Ph.D., Debora Farber, Ph.D.; Allan Kreiger, M.D.; Steven Schwartz, M.D.
Module I, Clinical and Genetic Characterization of Patients with Stargardt Macular Degeneration

Gabriel H. Travis, M.D., Steven Nusinowitz, Ph.D., Dean Bok, Ph.D.
Module II, Mechanisms of Lipofuscin Accumulation and Pharmacologic Intervention in a Mouse Model of Stargardt Macular Degeneration

Xian-Jie Yang, Ph.D., Dean Bok, Ph.D., Gabriel H. Travis, M.D., Debora Farber, Ph.D., Steven Nusinowitz, Ph.D.
Module IV, Gene Therapy of Stargardt Disease: Delivery of an ABCR Replacement Gene Using Novel Non-Viral Approaches


Kearn Family Center for the Study of Retinal Degeneration
University of California at San Francisco
University of California at Berkeley
Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA
Matthew M. LaVail, Ph.D., Center Director

Matthew M. LaVail, Ph.D.
Module I: Neuroprotective and Gene-Based Therapies for Retinal Degenerations

John G. Flannery, Ph.D.
Module II: Viral Mediated Gene Therapy for Retinal Degenerations

Douglas Vollrath, M.D., Ph.D.
Module III: Identification of Proteins Required for Endogenous Neuroprotection and RPE Phagocytosis

Jacque Duncan, M.D., Austin Roorda, Ph.D.
Module IV: High Resolution Retinal Imaging in Patients with Inherited Retinal Degenerations

Michael Danciger, Ph.D.
Module V: Gene modifiers of Age-Related and Inherited Retinal Degenerations in the Mouse.

W.K. Kellogg Eye Center for the Study of Retinal Degenerative Diseases
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
University of California, San Diego
John R. Heckenlively, M.D., Center Director

John R. Heckenlively, M.D., David Zacks, M.D., Ph.D., Radha Ayyagari, Ph.D., Naheed Wali Khan, Ph.D., Debra A. Thompson, Ph.D., Kari H. Branham, M.S.
Module I,Human Clinical Studies of Retinal and Macular Degenerative Diseases

Radha Ayyagari, Ph.D., John R. Heckenlively, M.D., Kari Haag Branham, M.S.
Module II, Molecular Genetic Analysis of Patients with Retinal and Macular Degeneration

David Zacks, M.D., Ph.D., John Heckenlively, M.D., Debra A. Thompson, Ph.D.
Module III, Animal Models: Identification of Novel Targets for Therapies of Inherited Rod and Cone Defects by Temporal Gene Profiling

Hemant Khanna, Ph.D., John Heckenlively, M.D., Bret Hughes, Ph.D., Thom Saunders, Ph.D., David Zacks, MD, Ph.D.
Module VI, Molecular Mechanisms of Pathogenesis and Possible Treatment Strategies of X-linked Retinal Degenerative Diseases

Radha Ayyagari, Ph.D., John Heckenlively, M.D., Paul R. Lichter, M.D.
Module VII, Molecular Genetics of Late Onset Retinal/Macular Degenerations

Debra Thompson, Ph.D. , John R. Heckenlively, M.D., Radha Ayyagari, Ph.D.
Module VIII, Studies of visual cycle defects in patients with retinal and macular degeneration

The Michael M. Wynn Research Center for the Study of Retinal Degeneration
Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA
Wolfgang Baehr, Ph.D., Center Director

Wolfgang Baehr, Ph.D., Jeanne Frederick, Ph.D.
Module I, Animal Models of Retinal Degeneration

Kang Zhang, M.D., Ph.D., Paul Bernstein, M.D. Ph.D.
Module II, Molecular Genetics of Retinal Degeneration

Rajendra Kumar-Singh, Ph.D.
Module IV, Mutation Independent Genetic Therapies for Retinal Degenerations

Oregon Health and Science University Research Center for the Study of Retinal Degenerative Diseases
Casey Eye Institute, Portland, OR
University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL
Richard G. Weleber, M.D., Center Director

Richard G. Weleber, M.D., Peter J. Francis, M.D., Ph.D., Chris A. Johnson, Ph.D.
Module I: Clinical, Electrophysiological, and Molecular Evaluation of Retinitis Pigmentosa and Allied Disorders

Martha Neuringer, Ph.D., Peter J. Francis, M.D., Brett G. Jeffrey, Ph.D., William Hauswirth, Ph.D., Betsy Ferguson, Ph.D., Richard Weleber, M.D.
Module III: Nonhuman Primate Models of Retinal Disease

Raymond D. Lund, Ph.D., ShaoMei Wang, Ph.D., Sergej Girman, Ph.D., Peter J. Francis, M.D.
Module IV, Cell Transplantation to Correct Inherited Photoreceptor Degeneration

William W. Hauswirth, Ph.D.
Module V, Cone Targeted Gene Therapy


Paris Research Center for the Study of Retinal Degenerative Diseases
INSERM
Hôpital Saint-Antoine
Hôpital des Quinze-Vingts, UCL
Paris, France
José-Alain Sahel, M.D., Center Director

Thierry Léveillard, Ph.D.
Module I, Molecular signaling of cone rescue and rod differentiation

Christine Petit, M.D. Ph.D.
Module III, Usher syndrome
Scientific Oversight

Saddek Mohand-Said, M.D. Ph.D., José-Alain Sahel, M.D.
Module IV, Optimization and Development of Morphological and functional retinal exploration techniques for age related and inherited retinal degeneration cohort follow up and clinical studies

Pre-Clinical Medical Therapy Evaluation Center
Cornell University
University of Pennsylvania
Ithaca, NY and Philadelphia, PA
Gustavo Aguirre, V.M.D., Ph.D., Center Director

Gustavo Aguirre, V.M.D., Ph.D., Gregory M. Acland, B.V.Sc.
Module I: Medical Therapy Service

Gustavo Aguirre, V.M.D., Ph.D., Barbara Zangerl, D.V.M., Ph.D.
Module II, Identification, Development and Molecular Studies of New Canine Retinal Degeneration Models

Gustavo Aguirre, V.M.D., Ph.D., Gerardo Paez, Ph.D.
Module III, Retinitis Pigmentosa Special Research Fellowship

Research Center for Macular Degeneration and Allied Retinal Disorders
University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA
Edwin M. Stone, M.D., Ph.D., Center Director

Edwin M. Stone, M.D., Ph.D., Val Sheffield, M.D., Ph.D., Terry A. Braun, Ph.D., Todd E. Scheetz, Ph.D., Thomas L. Casavant, Ph.D., James C. Folk, M.D., Stephen R. Russell, M.D.
Module I, Large Scale Collaborative Genotype-Phenotype Correlations

Terry A. Braun, Ph.D., Edwin M. Stone, M.D., Ph.D., Val Sheffield, M.D., Ph.D., Thomas L. Casavant, Ph.D.
Module II, Discovery of New Retinal Disease Genes

Val Sheffield, M.D., Ph.D., Robert F. Mullins, Ph.D., Edwin M Stone, M.D., Ph.D., Diane C. Slusarski, Ph.D., Beverly L. Davidson, Ph.D., Markus H. Kuehn, Ph.D.
Module III, Gene Transfer and Animal Models

Todd E. Scheetz, Ph.D., Jian Huang, Ph.D., Kai Wang, Ph.D., Edwin M. Stone, M.D., Ph.D., Val Sheffield, M.D., Ph.D. , Thomas L. Casavant, Ph.D., Maureen D. Megonigal, Ph.D.
Module V, Regulatory Elements and Modifier Genes in Human Retinal Degeneration

Research Center for the Study of Retinal Degenerative Diseases at the Institute of Ophthalmology and Moorfields Eye Hospital
Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, Moorfields Eye Hospital London, England, United Kingdom
Frederick W. Fitzke, Ph.D., Center Director

Alan Bird, M.D., Tony Moore, M.D., Andrew Webster, M.D., José-Alain Sahel, M.D.
Module I, Genetics of Retinal Degenerations

Fred Fitzke, Ph.D., Tony Moore, M.D., Andrew Webster, M.D., Alan Bird, M.D., José-Alain Sahel, M.D.
Module II, Visual Function in Retinal Degenerations

Graham E. Holder, Ph.D.
Module III, Electrophysiological Assessment of Retinal Function

Fred Fitzke, Ph.D., Phil Luthert, Ph.D., Tony Moore, M.D., Andrew Webster, M.D., Alan Bird, M.D.
Module IV, Quantitative Imaging of the Retina

Shomi Bhattacharya, Ph.D., David Hunt, Ph.D.
Module VI, Genetic Studies, Functional Genomics and Animal Models of Retinal Disease

Scandinavian Center for the Studies on Hereditary Retinal Diseases Wallenberg Retina Center
University Hospital of Lund, Lund, Sweden
Theo van Veen, Ph.D., Center Director

Theo van Veen, Ph.D., Per Ekström, Ph.D., Maria-Thereza Perez, Ph.D.
Module I, Mechanisms of Neuroprotection, Plasticity and Repair

Sten Andréasson M.D, Ph.D., Vesna Ponjavic M.D., Ph.D.
Module II, The Swedish RP - Registry: Clinical, electrophysiological, and molecular studies in families with hereditary retinal disorders in Sweden

Scheie Eye Institute Retinal Degeneration Research Center
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL
School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Samuel G. Jacobson, M.D., Ph.D., Center Director

Samuel G. Jacobson, M.D., Ph.D., Tomas S. Aleman, M.D.
Module I, FFB Center Grant Clinical Module

Artur V. Cideciyan, Ph.D.
Module II, Translational Studies

William W. Hauswirth, Ph.D.
Module III, Gene Therapy for Dominant Stargardt’s Disease,
GC1 LCA and CEP290 LCA

Krzysztof Palczewski, Ph.D.
Module IV, Pharmacological Therapy for Retinal Degenerations

Gustavo Aguirre, V.M.D., Ph.D., William Beltran, D.V.M., Ph.D.
Module V, Characterization of Retinal Remodeling in Canine Models of LCA / Early Onset RD

Southwest Regional Research Center for the Study of Retinal Degenerative Diseases
Retina Foundation of the Southwest (Dallas), TX
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK
University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, TX
Mayo Clinic, Rochester, NY
David G. Birch, Ph.D., Robert E. Anderson, M.D., Ph.D., Center Co-Directors

David G. Birch, Ph.D., Rand Spencer, M.D., Dennis Hoffman, Ph.D., Dianna Wheaton, M S.
Module I, Treatment Trials for Retinal Degenerative Diseases

Dianna K.H. Wheaton, M.S., David G. Birch, Ph.D., Stephen Daiger, Ph.D.
Module II, Southwest Eye Registry

Albert O. Edwards, M.D., Ph.D.
Module IV, Molecular Genetics of Macular Degeneration

Stephen P. Daiger, Ph.D.
Module V, Molecular Studies of Autosomal Dominant Forms of Retinitis Pigmentosa

Stephen P. Daiger, Ph.D.
Module VI, RetNet, Retinal Information Network

Robert E. Anderson, M.D., Ph.D.
Module VII, Biochemical Studies of the Function of the ELOVL4 Protein

James F. McGinnis, Ph.D.
Module VIII, Vacancy Engineered Inorganic Nanoparticles and the Prevention of Retinal Degeneration

Muayyad R. Al-Ubaidi, Ph.D.
Module IX, Role of Tyrosylprotein Sulfotransferases (TPSTs) in Rod and Cone Associated Disorders

Muna Naash, Ph.D.
Module X, Delivery and Targeting of Ocular Therapeutics Using Nanotechnology

University of Illinois at Chicago Research Center for the Study of Retinal Degenerative Diseases
University of Illinois at Chicago Eye Center, Chicago, IL
Gerald A. Fishman, M.D., Center Director

Gerald A. Fishman, M.D., Kenneth R. Alexander, Ph.D., Robert J. Anderson, Ph.D., Mahnaz Shahidi, Ph.D., Janet Szlyk, Ph.D., Linda Kim, Ph.D., Saloni Walia, M.D.
Module I, Clinical Studies

Gerald A. Fishman, M.D.
Module II, Identification of Molecular Genetic Defects in Patients with Various Inherited Retinal Diseases

Wilmer Eye Institute Research Center for the Study of Retinal Degenerative Diseases
Wilmer Eye Institute
Kennedy-Krieger Research Institute
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Basic Science Building
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
Peter A. Campochiaro, M.D., Center Director

Nicholas Katsanis, Ph.D.
Module I, Identification of Genetic Defects in Patients with AMD

Jeremy Nathans, M.D., Ph.D., Amir Rattner, Ph.D.
Module III, The Retinal Stress Response, Müller Glia, and Stress-induced Photoreceptor Neuroprotection

Nicholas Marsh-Armstrong, Ph.D.
Module IV, Inhibiting Photoreceptor Degeneration in Transgenic Xenopus Reporter Lines

Jennifer U. Sung, M.D., Peter A. Campochiaro, M.D., Solomon H. Snyder, M.D.
Module V, Protection of Photoreceptors From Oxidative Damage by Heme Oxygenase, Bilirubin, and Biliverdin Reductase

Donald J. Zack, M.D., Ph.D.
Module VI, Rescue by Neurotrophic Factors: Identification and Molecular Characterization of Up-regulated Genes

Donald Zack, M.D., Ph.D., Peter Campochiaro, M.D., Ruben Adler, M.D. (deceased)
Module VII, Photoreceptor Rescue by Neurotrophic Factors: Functional Characterization of Intraretinal Mediators

Peter A. Campochiaro, M.D.
Module VIII, Effect of Sustained Expression of Neurotrophic Factors
and Molecular Chaperones on Retinal Degenerations

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Research Facilities

Pathophysiology Facility for the Study of Retinal Degenerative Diseases
Joe G. Hollyfield, Ph.D.
Cole Eye Institute, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH

Resource Facility for X-linked Retinitis Pigmentosa and Age-related Macular Degeneration
John R. Heckenlively, M.D.
W.K. Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

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FFB Individual Grants

Career Development Award

Peter Francis, M.D., Ph.D.
Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR
Gene Therapy for Retinal Degeneration

Sandeep Grover, M.D.
University of Florida Shands Hospital, Jacksonville, FL
Inherited Retinal Diseases and Electrophysiology

J. Jill Hopkins, M.D.
Retina-Vitreous Associates, Los Angeles, CA
Clinical Management of Retinal Degenerative Diseases: Diagnosis, Care and Treatment

Stephen H. Tsang, M.D., Ph.D.
Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY
Stem Cell Therapy for Early Onset Retinal Dystrophy in an Animal Model

Marjorie Carr Adams Women’s Career Development Award

Jacque L. Duncan, M.D.
UCSF Department of Ophthalmology, San Francisco, CA
Clinical Research of Retinal Degenerative Diseases

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Cell-Based Therapy

Thomas A. Reh, Ph.D.
University of Washington, Seattle , WA
Can Retinal Neurons for Transplantation be Derived from Human Embryonic Stem Cells?

Michael J. Young, Ph.D.
Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
Generation of Novel Progenitor Cell / Biodegradable Polymer Composite Grafts for the Treatment of Retinal Degeneration

Marco Zarbin, M.D., Ph.D.
University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, NJ Medical School, NJ
RPE Derived from Human Embryonic Stem Cells (hES-RPE): Integrin Expression and Behavior on Aged Bruch's Membrane

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Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Disease

Anne L. Calof, Ph.D.
University of California, Irvine, CA
Role of the Endogenous GDF11-FST Neurogenic Control System in the Pathophysiology and Potential Treatment of Retinal Degenerative Disease

Shiming Chen, Ph.D.
Washington University, St Louis, MO
Mouse Models And Pharmacological Treatment of Crx-Associated Retinal Degeneration

Albert O. Edwards, M.D., Ph.D.
Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
Biomarkers for AMD

John R. Heckenlively, M.D., Naheed Khan, Ph.D.
W.K. Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
XLRP Consortium - Assessment of Therapies

Janis Lem, Ph.D.
Tufts University-New England Medical Center, Boston, MA
Elucidating Degenerative Mechanisms of Rhodopsin Mutants

Patsy Nishina, Ph.D.
The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME
Mouse Models with Retinal Diseases

Bjorn R. Olsen, Ph.D., Alexander G. Marneros, M.D., Ph.D.
Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA
VEGF and Collagen XVIII/Endostatin In Macular Degeneration and Choroidal Angiogenesis

Eric A. Pierce, M.D., Ph.D.
Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA

Photoreceptor Cell Death and Rescue in RP1 Disease
Hui Sun, Ph.D.
UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA
Drusen and Complement Factor H

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Gene Therapy

Jean Bennett, M.D., Ph.D.
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
XLRP Consortium - Gene Therapy for Rod Deficits in the RPGR form of X-linked RP

Eliot L. Berson, M.D., Tiansen Li, Ph.D.
Berman-Gund Laboratory, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, MA
Gene Therapy for Leber’s Congenital Amaurosis due to the Loss of RPGRIP Function

Peter A. Campochiaro, M.D.
Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
Investigating the in vivo Inflammation and Efficacy Profile of Murine RetinoStat Vectors

William Hauswirth, Ph.D.
University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL
XLRP Consortium - Gene Therapy for Cone Deficits in the RPGR form of X-linked RP

Alfred S. Lewin, Ph.D.
University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL
Platform Technology for Gene Therapy for Autosomal Dominant Retinitis Pigmentosa

Tiansen Li, Ph.D.
Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, MA
Disease Mechanisms and Therapeutic Approaches In Animal Models of Retinal Degeneration

Miguel Seabra, M.D., Ph.D.
Imperial College of Science, London, England
Gene Therapy In Mouse Models of Choroideremia

Debra A. Thompson, Ph.D.
W.K. Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
XLRP Consortium - Small Molecular Interventions

Barbara Zangerl, V.M.D., Ph.D.
School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Phenotypic In Vivo and In Vitro Characterization of Canine Best Disease Models

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Genetics

Anneke I. den Hollander, Ph.D.
Radboud University, Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
Identification of New Genes for Leber Congenital Amaurosis and Retinitis Pigmentosa Using a Genome-Wide Approach

Akihiro Ikeda, Ph.D.
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
Genetic Modifier of the Rs1h Gene

Josseline Kaplan, M.D., Ph.D., Jean-Michel Rozet, Ph.D., Isabelle Perrault, Ph.D., Sylvain Hanein, Ph.D., Sylvie Gerber, Engineer, Nathalie Delphin, Engineer
INSERM U393 - Hôpital des Enfants Malades, Paris, France
Leber Congenital Amaurosis: Continuation of Gene Hunting and Further Delineation of the Disease, Development of Therapeutic Tools

Bronya J. B. Keats, Ph.D., William Gordon, Ph.D.
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA
A Mouse Model for Usher Syndrome Type 1C

William J. Kimberling, Ph.D.
National Usher Syndrome Center, Boystown Hospital, Omaha, NE
Medical and Population Genetic Studies of Usher Syndrome

Dror Sharon, Ph.D.
Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
Identification of Novel Genes Causing Inherited Retinal Degenerations

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Neuroprotective Therapy

William A. Beltran, D.V.M., Ph.D.
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Optimizing Photoreceptor Neuroprotection in Preclinical Models of RP

Jeffrey H. Boatright, Ph.D.
Emory University Eye Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
Pre-Clinical Assessment of Bile Acids in Treatment of Retinal Degenerations

Michael E. Boulton, Ph.D.
University of Texas Medical Branch, Galviston, TX
A Nanomedicine Strategy for the Removal of Lipofuscin from RPE

Wei Cao, M.D., Ph.D. (deceased – grant transferred to James F. McGinnis)
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK
Photoreceptor Rescue in Tubby Mouse, a Phenotypic Model of Usher Syndrome

Rosalie K. Crouch, Ph.D.
Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
Maintenance of Cone Viability In Absence of 11-Cis Retinal

Janis T. Eells, Ph.D.
University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI
Mitochondrial Repair by Near-Infra-Red Radiation

James F. McGinnis, Ph.D. (taking over for the late Wei Cao, Ph.D.)
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK
Photoreceptor Rescue In Tubby Mouse, A Phenotypic Model of Usher Syndrome

Bärbel Rohrer, Ph.D.
Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
Blocking Alternative Complement Activation in Animal Models of AMD

Marius Ueffing, Ph.D., Stefanie M. Hauck, Ph.D.
Institute of Human Genetics, GSF-National Research Center, Neuherberg, Germany
Uncovering the Biological Principles of Protection in the Retina: Novel Factors for Neuroprotection of Retinal Neurons

Donald J. Zack, M.D., Ph.D.
Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
Screening for Small Molecules That Modulate Photoreceptor Survival, Gene Expression and Differentiation

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Nutritional/Environmental Therapies

Paul S. Bernstein, M.D., Ph.D., Werner Gellermann, Ph.D.
Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
Macular Pigment Imaging in AREDS II Participants: An Ancillary Study of AREDS II Subjects Enrolled at the Moran Eye Center

Johanna M. Seddon, M.D.
Harvard University School of Medicine, Boston, MA
An Evaluation of Gene-Environment Interactions And Age-Related Macular Degeneration, and A Registry For Genetic-Epidemiologic Studies of Macular Degeneration