About my research

In the last years, I devoted my time to the study of CRB1-diseases by generating and analysing the retinal phenotype of new animal models for this disease. These disease models helped us to better understand how the disease initiated and how it progresses over time. We find out that, in mice, loss of CRB2 can modulate the severity of CRB1-disease and that both proteins have a role in restricting the number of cells in the retina.  At the same time, I helped to design and test AAV-gene therapy vectors for the treatment of Retinitis pigmentosa caused by mutations in the CRB1 gene. The expectations are that AAV-mediated delivery of CBR2 might become a treatment for these CRB1-patients in the coming years. More recently, I become curious about the role of inflammation in retinal degeneration. Which cells are involved in retinal inflammation and what are the feedback loops between them? Which cytokines are involved? Which molecular pathways are altered? Are some of the questions raised by us. To answer these questions our lab is using a multi-disciplinary approach using techniques from different fields such as molecular and cell biology, vision sciences, immunology and endocrinology. Bellow, I enumerate some of the equipment and techniques available at our LAB.

Molecular and Cell Biology

- Cloning in vectors and plasmid production

- DNA and RNA isolation and purification

-  RT-PCR

- Cell culture (primary culture, cell line culture, iPSC culture)

- Production and purification of Adeno-associated virus (AAV)

- Immunohistochemistry and immunocytochemistry

- Western blotting

- Histology

Advanced Microscopy

- Confocal laser microscopy

- Fluorescence microscopy

- Live imaging microscopy

Vision sciences

- Electroretinography (ERG)

- Optical coherence tomography (OCT)

- Optomotor (PhenoSys qOMR)

- Retinal fundus imaging

- Ocular administration of drugs/AAV in small rodents (intravitreal and subretinal injections)

Immunology

- Flow cytometry

- ELISA