Medical Student Research Fellowship for Summer 2006

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 assisting with time-lapse imaging experiments using light and/or confocal microscopy, performing 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).

Ly LT, Cavanagh HD, Petroll WM. Confocal assessment of the effects of fourth-generation fluoroquinolones on the cornea. Eye Contact Lens (In Press).

Ly LT, McCulley JP, Verity SM, Cavanagh HD, Petroll WM. Evaluation of intrastromal lipid deposits following intacs implantation using in vivo confocal microscopy. Eye Contact Lens (In Press).

Petroll WM, Goldberg D, Lindsey SS, Kelley PS, Cavanagh HD, Bowman RW, Parmar DN, Verity SM, McCulley JP. Confocal assessment of the Corneal Response to intracorneal lens insertion and LASIK with flap creation using IntraLase®. J Cataract Refract Surg (In Press).

Prospective evaluation of PermaVision intracorneal implants using in vivo confocal microscopy. Lindsey SS, McCulley JP, Cavanagh HD, Verity SM, Bowman RW, Petroll WM. J Refract Surg (Submitted).

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