Medical Student Research Fellowship for Summer 2005

Mentor: W. Matthew Petroll, Ph.D.
Department: Ophthalmology
Room number: E7.234
Mail Code: 9057
Phone number: 648-7216
E-mail: matthew.petroll@utsouthwestern.edu
Project title: Regulation of Corneal Fibroblast Mechanical Activity

Human subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable): NA

Animal subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable): NA

Project Type (patient-based research, animal-based research, or basic research; this characterization is only to permit a general classification for grouping similar types of projects)

Basic Research

Brief Description of Project:

We have developed a 3-D culture system for studying the movement of living corneal fibroblasts. We are using this system to investigate the signaling pathways involved in cell migration and force generation. These processes play a central role in embryonic development and wound healing in the cornea. Medical student projects could include performing time-lapse imaging experiments using light and/or confocal microscopy, assisting with computer image analysis, or assisting with staining and/or biochemical analysis of corneal cells.

Previous Research Activities or Publications with Medical Students:

Kovoor TA, Kim AS, McCulley JP, Cavanagh HD, Jester JV, Budge AC, Petroll WM. Evaluation of the corneal effects of topical ophthalmic fluoroquinolones using in vivo confocal microscopy. Eye Contact Lens 30:90-94, 2004.

Petroll WM, Ma L, Kim A, Ly L, Vishwanath M. Differential regulation of the dynamic sub-cellular mechanical activity of corneal fibroblasts by Rho and Rac. (Abstract for ARVO Annual Meeting, 2005).

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