Jeffrey M. Gross

Our research focuses on vertebrate eye development, disease modeling and regeneration utilizing the zebrafish as a model system for most of our studies.  We also have an interest in eye evolution and have worked with a number of "non-model" systems. For our zebrafish work, we combine forward genetic screens with reverse genetic, genomic and embryological manipulations we hope to understand the molecular, cellular and developmental events that regulate eye formation and visual function, ocular diseases and regenerative responses. Current areas of interest in the lab include studies focusing on the development of the retina and its regulation through epigenetic mechanisms, elucidation of the cellular mechanisms that regulate ocular morphogenesis, and the molecular regulation of retina and RPE regeneration. Our research combines molecular, cellular, biochemical, transgenic, genomic and in vivo imaging techniques to address these questions. It is our hope that these studies will ultimately lead to a better understanding of visual system disorders, such as age-related macular degeneration, and serve as a foundation for the development of new therapeutic interventions.  We welcome creative and energetic students and potential postdocs to reach out about these and other new projects if interested in the lab.