Medical Student Research Fellowship for Summer 2010

Mentor: W. Matthew Petroll
Department: Ophthalmology
Room number: E7.224
Mail Code: 9057
Phone number: 648-7216
E-mail: matthew.petroll@utsouthwestern.edu

Project # 1 title: Collagen Matrix Reorganization During Corneal Wound Healing

Human subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable):

Animal subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable):

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

Brief Description of Project:

Following injury or incisional surgery, corneal keratocytes migrate into the wound space and generate contractile forces which mediate wound closure and extracellular matrix remodeling. The goal of this project is to assess the pattern of matrix remodeling by corneal keratocytes using an in vitro wound healing model. Corneal keratocytes will be cultured within 3-D fibrin matrices, and treated with key growth factors present during in vivo wound healing (TGF-beta, PDGF, CTGF). Changes in cytoskeletal organization and matrix reorganization, synthesis and degradation will be assessed using confocal fluorescence and reflection microscopy. The student will assist with cell culture, plating of cells within the 3-D matrices, and recording and analysis of 3-D images.

Project # 2 title: In Vivo Corneal Imaging using a Modified Confocal Microscope

Human subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable):

Animal subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable): To be submitted

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)

Animal-based

Brief Description of Project:

Since the mid 1990s, various forms of confocal microscopy have been used to assess wound healing, toxicity and infection of the human cornea. Our laboratory recently modified a laser scanning confocal microscope to allow significantly improved quantitative imaging of the cornea. Before applying this instrument to patient imaging, we need to optimize the analysis software and establish the accuracy and reproducibility of the instrument in an animal model. The corneas of normal New Zealand White rabbits will be scanned using the modified microscope with the goal of establishing these parameters. The student will assist in image collection and analysis for this project.

Previous Research Activities or Publications with Medical Students:

1. 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.
2. Ly LT, Cavanagh HD, Petroll WM. Confocal assessment of the effects of fourth-generation fluoroquinolones on the cornea. Eye Contact Lens 32:161-165, 2006.
3. 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 32:211-215, 2006.
4. 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 32:1119-1128, 2006.
5. Hu MY, McCulley JP, Cavanagh HD, Bowman RW, Verity SM, Mootha VV, Petroll WM. Comparison of the corneal response to LASIK with flap creation using the IntraLase FS15 and FS30 lasers: Clinical and confocal microscopy findings. J Cataract Refract Surg 33:673-681, 2007
6. Lindsey SS, McCulley JP, Cavanagh HD, Verity SM, Bowman RW, Petroll WM. Prospective evaluation of PermaVision intracorneal implants using in vivo confocal microscopy. J Refract Surg 33:673-681, 2007.
7. Petroll WM, Ma L, Ly LT, Vishwanath M. Analysis of the pattern of sub-cellular force generation by corneal fibroblasts following Rho activation. Eye Contact Lens 34:65-70, 2008.
8. Petroll WM, Ma L, Kim A, Ly L, Vishwanath M. Dynamic assessment of fibroblast mechanical activity during Rac-induced cell spreading in 3-D culture. J Cell Physiol 217:162-171, 2008.