# Ocular Regenerative Medicine Institute ## expand\_more ![ORMI](/sites/g/files/omnuum9886/files/eye/files/copy_of_untitled_9.png) Sort***Co-Directors*** [Demetrios G. Vavvas, MD, PhD](/demetriosvavvas) [Michael J. Young, PhD](/michaelyoung) ***Associate Director*** [Petr Baranov, MD, PhD](/petrbaranov) ***Members*** [See a list of ORMI faculty](/faculty/ormi) The Ocular Regenerative Medicine Institute is leading the effort to develop novel methods to regenerate eye tissues for various diseases, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma, corneal disease, and ocular cancer. Our investigators are collaborating with scientists across multiple fields to revolutionize treatment options for these blinding diseases. ## Major Research Breakthroughs In the last 20 years, our investigators have achieved many research milestones. Notably, they have: - Performed early clinical trials of grafted embryonic stem cell-derived retinal pigment epithelial in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) - Developed a novel stem cell therapy for retinitis pigmentosa using retinal progenitor cells - Developed a semi-automated approach for the scaled-up production of retinal neurons from pluripotent stem cells—a renewable source of cells—for the treatment of AMD and glaucoma - Pioneered transplantation studies of stem cellderived retinal ganglion cells in animal models of glaucoma - Uncovered permanent neuroglial remodeling of the retina that occurs following infiltration of peripheral monocytes in cases of retinal injury ## 2020 Vision: Promising Areas for Future Research Looking to the future, our investigators hope to overcome immunologic and integration issues as we move from bench to bedside with sight-saving and restoring therapies that will change the lives of patients with blinding diseases. ### Biennial Symposium The Symposium on Ocular Regeneration brings together clinicians and basic scientists from multiple disciplines who are working to accelerate cures and restore vision in patients with degenerative eye diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, cornea and dry eye disease, and inherited retinal disorders. [**Learn more**](/ormi/symposium) ## Recent Publications Download 2 citations download- [BibTeX](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=2&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_researcharea%5D%5B0%5D%5Btarget_id%5D=36041&&&format=bibtex) - [EndNote X3 XML](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=2&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_researcharea%5D%5B0%5D%5Btarget_id%5D=36041&&&format=endnote8) - [EndNote 7 XML](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=2&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_researcharea%5D%5B0%5D%5Btarget_id%5D=36041&&&format=endnote7) - [Endnote tagged](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=2&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_researcharea%5D%5B0%5D%5Btarget_id%5D=36041&&&format=tagged) - [Marc](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=2&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_researcharea%5D%5B0%5D%5Btarget_id%5D=36041&&&format=marc) - [PubMedId](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=2&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_researcharea%5D%5B0%5D%5Btarget_id%5D=36041&&&format=pubmed_id) - [RIS](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=2&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_researcharea%5D%5B0%5D%5Btarget_id%5D=36041&&&format=ris) ### 2021 Kanu L, Ciolino J. [Nerve Growth Factor as an Ocular Therapy: Applications, Challenges, and Future Directions](/publications/nerve-growth-factor-ocular-therapy-applications-challenges-and-future-directions). Semin Ophthalmol. 2021;36(4):224–231. PMID: 33641595 Kanu L, Ciolino J. [Nerve Growth Factor as an Ocular Therapy: Applications, Challenges, and Future Directions](/publications/nerve-growth-factor-ocular-therapy-applications-challenges-and-future-directions). Semin Ophthalmol. 2021;36(4):224–231. PMID: 33641595 - add\_circle do\_not\_disturb\_on Abstract Nerve growth factor (NGF), the prototypical neurotrophin first discovered in the 1950s, has recently garnered increased interest as a therapeutic agent promoting neuronal health and regeneration. After gaining orphan drug status within the last decade... ### 2020 Lu Y, Brommer B, Tian X, Krishnan A, Meer M, Wang C, Vera D, Zeng Q, Yu D, Bonkowski M, Yang JH, Zhou S, Hoffmann E, Karg M, Schultz M, Kane A, Davidsohn N, Korobkina E, Chwalek K, Rajman L, Church G, Hochedlinger K, Gladyshev VN, Horvath S, Levine M, Gregory-Ksander M, Ksander B, He Z, Sinclair D. [Reprogramming to recover youthful epigenetic information and restore vision](/publications/reprogramming-recover-youthful-epigenetic-information-and-restore-vision). Nature. 2020;588(7836):124–129. PMID: 33268865 Lu Y, Brommer B, Tian X, Krishnan A, Meer M, Wang C, Vera D, Zeng Q, Yu D, Bonkowski M, Yang JH, Zhou S, Hoffmann E, Karg M, Schultz M, Kane A, Davidsohn N, Korobkina E, Chwalek K, Rajman L, Church G, Hochedlinger K, Gladyshev VN, Horvath S, Levine M, Gregory-Ksander M, Ksander B, He Z, Sinclair D. [Reprogramming to recover youthful epigenetic information and restore vision](/publications/reprogramming-recover-youthful-epigenetic-information-and-restore-vision). Nature. 2020;588(7836):124–129. PMID: 33268865 - add\_circle do\_not\_disturb\_on Abstract Ageing is a degenerative process that leads to tissue dysfunction and death. A proposed cause of ageing is the accumulation of epigenetic noise that disrupts gene expression patterns, leading to decreases in tissue function and regenerative capacity... [ More arrow\_circle\_right ](/topic/regenerative-medicine) ## Featured News [### 4th Biennial Symposium on Ocular Regeneration ](/news/4th-biennial-symposium-ocular-regeneration) October 12, 2023 [### Symposia Facilitate Dialogue on Innovative Research ](/news/symposia-facilitate-dialogue-innovative-research) October 23, 2018 [### Michael Young, PhD, established STEM program for local high schoolers ](/news/michael-young-phd-established-stem-program-local-high-schoolers) October 05, 2017 [### Investigators Share Research and Potential Applications for Eye Diseases at Ocular Regeneration Symposium ](/news/investigators-share-research-and-potential-applications-eye-diseases-ocular-regeneration) November 03, 2016 [### Scientists and Clinicians Discuss Regenerative Medicine and Philosophical Riddles at First Symposium on Ocular Regeneration ](/news/symposium-ocular-regeneration-2014) October 24, 2014 [### New Grant for Retinal Tissue Engineering Awarded by the Bertarelli Program in Translational Neuroscience and Neuroengineering ](/bertarelli-grant) October 24, 2014 [ More arrow\_circle\_right ](/news?f%5B0%5D=hwp_c_category1%3A65376)