About Us » FFB Funded Researchers
John M. Nickerson, Ph.D.
|
John M. Nickerson, Ph.D., is a full Professor at Emory University. His laboratory in the Department of Ophthalmology was founded to initiate molecular biological, genetic, and biochemical approaches to investigate diseases of the retina and posterior segment of the eye. He was recently named at the Distinguished Alumnus of the University of Texas Medical Branch for 2008. His laboratory studies fundamental biological, genetic, and evolutionary principles as reflected in the normal and diseased visual system. The major projects in his of his laboratory are: Project 1: To cure inherited retinal degenerations, he proposes to directly repair underlying gene defects, replacing mutant nucleotides with correct ones. To accomplish this, his laboratory designs nucleic acids that are complementary to a genomic target sequence, except a mismatch at the disease-causing mutation. Project 2: Drug and DNA delivery methods. Intra-orbital drug delivery has been attempted by subretinal, perioribital, and retrobulbar injections. Mass transfer is coupled with simple diffusion, and brief pulses of high voltages now generate tranisent pores in the cell membrane of targeted cells, especially the RPE and the photorecpetor cell. Major improvements in the subretinal surgery now allow high transfection efficiencies. Project 3. Bile acids in treatment of retinal degenerations: Recently, Dr. Nickerson in collaboration with Dr. Jeffrey Boatright, also the the Department of Ophthalmology at Emory, characterized a new mouse model of human retinitis pigmentosa (RP), in which missense mutations in the beta subunit of cGMP phosphodiesterase causes retinal degeneration. They demonstrated that a naturally occurring bile acid protects these retinas from degeneration by inhibition of apoptosis (also known as programmed cell death). This bile acid preserves retinal morphology (measured by histology) and vision as measured by electroretinography. This particular bile acid is already FDA approved for human liver disease treatment; it is well tolerated; and it is inexpensive. Clinical trials, pending the outcome of this preclinical project, may be appropriate. |
