The Study of Gene Therapy Associated Uveitis Using a Mouse Model
The Study of Gene Therapy Associated Uveitis Using a Mouse Model
About Me
My name is Ryan, and I am a senior Biology major from Bellevue, Washington. Through my time at Macalester I have had the opportunity to develop academically and athletically as a member of the Men’s Basketball team. I have had the opportunity to explore my interest in Biology, focusing on Biochemistry. Throughout undergraduate I have had the opportunity to work as a student researcher for the chemistry department. Through that experience and the Biology departments curriculum I am planning on pursuing a PhD in the field of Biology, focusing on either Biochemistry or Molecular Biology. During my free time I enjoy watching sports as well as playing board games with friends. Macalester has provided an amazing undergraduate experience and has provided me with the preparation for the next phase of my life.
Abstract
Uveitis is the inflammation of the uvea within the eye. This inflammation can lead to pain, blurred vision, and in extreme cases blindness. My poster explains the work that I did during the summer of my freshman year. I volunteered at University of Washington Medicine in the Department of Ophthalmology under Dr. Kathryn Pepple. Her work focuses on the study of Gene Therapy Associated Uveitis (GATU) which is a condition that arises from injections to the eye. Over the last decade gene therapy has become more common and is continuing to grow as a therapeutic route to fix genetic diseases. One of the most common delivery methods to the eye is an injection. A side effect of this injection is excess inflammation and pain, the Pepple lab studies this inflammation and has been working on possible ways to reduce the response. My project focuses on the long term tracking of inflammation by studying five mice over the course of three months. My poster details the various techniques that I used throughout my time in the lab and provides insight on the results of my 3 month experiment. Understanding how the inflammation arises and possible ways to reduce it could lead to better overall response to gene therapy treatments within the eye which in turn, can lead to quicker recovery and a faster return to healthy life.