Research Goals:

My laboratory has two research focuses, ocular stem cells and organ culture. For ocular stem cells, the current project is to search for the markers of limbal stem cells, which are the stem cells for corneal epithelium. The initial research is conducted in mice; the markers will be further examined on human samples to have a direct impact on the diagnosis and treatment of limbal stem cell deficiency. For the organ culture, we are developing an innovative culture system that whole globes are cultured in vitro for a long term by maintaining an active vascular circulation within the eye. This will provide an organ-based controlled micro-environment to study eye diseases, to regenerate cells, and to test new drugs and therapies.