Nancy C. Joyce

Molecular Induction of Corneal Endothelial Proliferation

The major goal is to test the hypothesis that the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, p21CIP1, mediates the replicative senescence-like inhibition of proliferation observed in corneal endothelial cells from older donors and to determine whether this growth inhibition can be reversed by treatment of the cells with p21CIP1 siRNA.

Cell Cycle of Corneal Endothelium

The major goals are to identify specific phosphotyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) expressed in corneal endothelial cells; determine the role of each PTP in regulating EGF-driven mitogenic signaling; determine whether the cadherin-catenin complex is a target for PTP regulation in corneal endothelium; and test if down-regulating the expression or activity of specific PTPs will promote proliferation and increase cell density in human corneal endothelial cells in situ.

A Method to Generate Artificial Cornea Constructs

The major goal is to develop a natural stroma-like matrix with orthogonal stacking that will permit attachment and growth of human corneal endothelial and epithelial cells as a first step in the development of an artificial cornea.