SCHEIE VISION | ANNUAL REPORT 2020
(SMAD), and Wnt, to mature the RPCs towards the RGC lineage. To avoid the need for manual selection of cells through this process, Dr. Chavali’s team used a crosshatching technique, which aids in the formation of RGCs with less variability and is distinct from other studies of this kind. The entire two-stage process takes only 35 days to complete and has been shown to yield a highly pure and robust population of RGCs. The relatively short time frame of RGC differentiation and very high yields (up to 95% pure) are two significant advantages of this methodology. Another advantage is the absence of manual RGC separation from a retinal organoid, which can prevent damage to the newly generated RGCs. Currently, Dr. Chavali is investigating neuroprotective compounds (which work to protect cells from damage) to further help RGCs survive for long periods of time and tolerate stress more effectively.
culturing them along with retinal astrocytes and other retinal cell types. He also intends to use this methodology to study genetic mutations that lead to RGC loss in patients and work towards a targeted therapy for patients whose glaucoma has a genetic basis.
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Finding out ways to help patients with glaucoma is very important to me.”
LOOKING AHEAD This novel protocol is an important step towards the development of more targeted and effective treatments for glaucoma. Moving forward, Dr. Chavali plans to continue working to further improve the iPSC-RGC maturity by
In order to translate these findings into a strategy for treating glaucoma, Dr. Chavali’s lab is studying the molecular mechanisms of RGC death by applying oxidative stress and other conditions to simulate RGC loss in vitro. In collaboration with Dr. Katherine Uyhazi, who was recently appointed as an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at UPenn, he is testing potential treatment strategies in mouse models of glaucoma by injecting the purified iPSC-RGCs. These experiments are currently ongoing with very encouraging preliminary results.
“Finding out ways to help patients with glaucoma is very important to me,” said Dr. Chavali. “I’m confident that our methodology of generating RGCs is a vital tool we can use to investigate mutations that cause RGC loss and offer a targeted therapy to patients with glaucoma.” n
in memory of dr. alan s. crandall By Alexandra Brodin
Alan S. Crandall, MD, was a surgeon at the John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, specializing in glaucoma, cataract, and anterior segment surgery. He graduated from the Utah School of Medicine in 1973 and completed his ophthalmology residency at the Scheie Eye Institute. On October 2, 2020, after nearly 40 years of practicing ophthalmology at the Moran Eye Center, Dr. Crandall sadly passed away from a sudden illness. Dr. Crandall devoted his life to providing the best possible patient care and advancing the field of ophthalmology. In addition to his renowned surgical skills, Dr. Crandall was an innovative researcher, leading the development of several new surgical techniques. He was a dedicated and enthusiastic teacher, always working hard to ensure that ophthalmology residents and trainees had the knowledge and skills to become outstanding clinician scientists. Dr. Crandall was also devoted to humanitarian programs and was deeply invested in offering ophthalmic services in places with limited access to medical care. He founded and served as the Senior Medical Director of the Moran Global Outreach Division. His leadership and desire to serve took him all over the world, including Ghana, Nepal, and South Sudan, where he performed free eye surgeries and trained others in ophthalmic surgery. The passing of Dr. Crandall is an enormous loss to the field of ophthalmology and is deeply felt by all who knew him. He is remembered as a brilliant physician, a passionate humanitarian, and a treasured friend and colleague. n
