Medical Student Research Fellowship for Summer 2010

Mentor: Danielle M. Robertson, OD, PhD
Department: Ophthalmology
Room number: E7.234
Mail Code: 9057
Phone number: 8-3416
E-mail: Danielle.robertson@utsouthwestern.edu
Project title:

Human subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable): 032010-081

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)

Patient based

Brief Description of Project:

Despite new and improved lens materials which have increased oxygen transmission to the cornea, risk for contact lens-related microbial keratitis remains unchanged, with Pseudomonas aeruginosa leading the way as the primary causative agent. In 2008, using our previously established ocular irrigation chamber and bacterial binding assay, we demonstrated for the first time a reduction in bacterial binding following the use of non-preserved contact lens care solutions, highlighting a role for preservatives in these care solutions as a contributing risk factor for contact lens-related microbial keratitis. The focus of this study is to prospectively examine the individual role of commonly used components of contact lens care solutions in the upregulation of Pseudomonas receptors at the ocular surface. This study will be a clinical trial that will run for the duration of the summer. The responsibility of the medical student will be to collect the irrigation samples from the patients in the clinic, perform the bacterial binding assay in the laboratory as well as the cell/bacterial counts using epifluorescent microscopy.

Previous Research Activities or Publications with Medical Students:

Thai Bui (summer 2009): presented his work on patient compliance with contact lens wear at the Medical Student Research Forum and has had his work accepted by the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology for presentation this May. He is also the recipient of one of their travel grants. His manuscript is in preparation.

Josh Hubregson and Ifeoma Achebe (summer 2008)

Jerry Kalangara (summer 2007): presented his work on limbal epithelial transplantation at the Medical Student Research Forum and also won an award for his outstanding poster. Jerry also presented at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology in 2008.

Rebecca Baucom (summer 2006): presented her research at the Medical Student Research Forum.