Research
Cell Biology and Anatomy

Members of the department of Cell Biology and Anatomy engage in a variety of research areas including vision research, HIV/AIDS, cancer biology, ocular immunology, basic cell and molecular biology phenomena such as apoptosis (cell death), cell differentiation, gene expression and structural anatomy. Research is conducted in a highly interactive and collegial environment. The department has outstanding professional staff that provide high quality histology / microscopy support for both members of Cell Biology and Anatomy faculty and other faculty as well.

Hassan Alizadeh, Ph.D.
Associate Professor

The major focus in my laboratory is to understand the immune response against pathogenic microorganisms that infect the eye. Acanthamoeba keratitis is a sight-threatening corneal disease caused by pathogenic free-living amoebae. Acanthamoeba keratitis is caused by Acanthamoeba species with a remarkable ability to kill cells in a contact-dependent and independent manner. The disease is often associated with contact lens wear, which appears to be an important risk factor in infection. The primary focus of this project is to thoroughly evaluate the molecular interactions between an ocular pathogen and corneal epithelial tissues. Our fundamental premise is that no single therapeutic procedure is likely to be effective in the treatment of ongoing infection. However, a carefully selected and evaluated combination of procedures that collectively or synergistically interfere with each step of the pathogenic cascade is needed to produce a significant reduction in the severity of the disease.
 

Patrick Cammarata, Ph.D. 
Professor

Mechanism(s) of ocular diabetic complications, including sugar cataract development. Inositol lipid metabolism, myo-inositol uptake and efflux, molecular cloning, fine structure analysis of the sodium/myo-inositol cotransporter gene, promotes characterization and transcriptional regulation of the sodium/myo-inositol cotransporter gene.
 

Abbot Clark, PhD
Professor
Director, North Texas Eye Research Institute

Our lab is investigating the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in glaucoma, a leading cause of irreversible blindness in the world. Glaucoma damages the aqueous outflow pathway (i.e. trabecular meshwork), optic nerve head, optic nerve, retinal ganglion cells, and visual axis in the brain. We are using molecular genetics, molecular biology, cell culture, organ culture, and mouse models to identify and validate pathogenic pathways involved in glaucomatous damage to the eye and brain. Understanding the molecular pathogenic pathways will allow us to identify and test new therapeutic targets to better treat this vision threatening disease. 
 

Anuja Ghorpade, Ph.D.
Professor & Chair

Ours is the Laboratory of Cellular Neuroimmunology. The long-standing interest of our research program focuses on the role of glial inflammation in neurodegeneration, particularly in the context of HIV/AIDS and other dementias. The burden of HIV infection on the world population is astounding. Despite effective antiretroviral therapy, approximately 50% of HIV+ patients have some sort of neurological manifestation. In the post-antiretroviral therapy era, patients with HIV-1 infection are living longer and have an increased risk for developing neurocognitive decline. The evidence for astrocytes playing an important role in neural health and disease conditions continues to grow. Our laboratory investigates two main themes that pertain to glial responses in disease. One line of investigation is focused on the alterations in protective functions of astrocytes while the other investigates activation of pathways deleterious to neural health. We currently have several individual projects related to these themes. These pertain to regulation of matrix metalloproteinases and their tissue inhibitors, CXCL8 regulation in neuro-AIDS, combined injury of methamphetamine and HIV-1, glutamate imbalance in the AIDS brain tissues and function of astrocyte elevated gene-1 in reactive astrogliosis and inflammation. 
 

Marina Gorbatyuk, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor

My lab seeks to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying diseases of the retina as well as develop novel therapies for their treatment. Specifically, my research is concentrated on the elucidation of the role of the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) in retinal degeneration and development a gene therapy based on modulation of the UPR signaling markers and over-expression of molecular chaperones. In particular, I am interested in misfolded rhodopsin that interferes with the trafficking of wild-type rhodopsin, accumulates in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and stimulates the UPR. If unchecked, this pathway triggers photoreceptor death, presumably through apoptosis. Therefore, the focus of my research is to determine whether the gene therapy based on the re-programming of the ER stress response is a viable treatment for retinal degeneration. In my current study, I use genetic, biochemical, cell biological, physiological and morphometric approaches to dissect mechanisms of retinal degeneration. I also use an adeno-associated viral (AAV) delivery to over-express or down regulate gene expression in natural and transgenic animal models (P23H+/- rhodopsin rats and mice, S334ter rhodopsin rats and T17M rhodopsin mice) and create a gene therapy. 
 

Ignacy Gryczynski, Ph.D.
Professor

Fluorescence spectroscopy and microscopy progressed recently towards a nanotechnology. The technological advances in optics, computers, surface science and engineering made possible single molecule detection and overcome the diffraction limit. Dr. Gryczynski´s research focuses on fluorescence enhancements near metallic surfaces and particles. The enhanced fluorescence is being applied to sensing devices and bioassays. He also has a joint appointment in the Department of Molecular Biology and Immunology, where he co-manages the time-resolved fluorescence laboratory. This laboratory carries basic spectroscopy research and is open to the needs of researchers from both departments.
 

Claire Kirchoff. Ph.D.
Assistant Professor

Biological anthropology brings a valuable perspective to teaching human anatomy, including a sense of human variation across both geographic and temporal distance, and not just how structures are shaped and related to one another, but also why they may have evolved that way. This is the scientific lens through which I view human anatomy. A new, collaborative research project currently under development will examine variation in the lateral rotators of the human hip and the role they play in bipedal locomotion. This should give us insight into the emergence of our clade, as bipedalism is what distinguishes modern humans and our ancestors from other ape species. I am also particularly interested in primate skeletal analysis, trauma and pathology, and other sources of stress reflected by the skeleton. Current projects include: (1) skeletal trauma and pathology in the Gombe chimpanzees, (2) skeletal damage to chimpanzee infanticide victims, (3) fluctuating asymmetry as a measure of developmental instability in primate dentition, (4) cranial trauma in sub-adult chimpanzees vs. gorillas. Three-dimensional analytical techniques and the scholarship of teaching and learning are further academic pursuits.
 

Raghu Krishnamoorthy, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor

Glaucoma is an optic neuropathy commonly associated with increased intraocular pressure (IOP) and characterized by cupping of the optic disc, optic nerve degeneration, and apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells, ultimately leading to blindness. Endothelin-1 (ET-1), a potent vasoactive peptide, has been found to be elevated in the aqueous humor of patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), compared to normal subjects. ET-1 acts through mainly two classes of G-protein coupled receptors, namely, the ETA and ETB receptors. A number of studies suggest that the ETB receptors may play a key role in neurodegeneration. The ongoing project is aimed at understanding the neurodegenerative role of ETB receptors in an in-vivo rat model (Morrison’s model) of glaucoma. The long term goals are to develop endothelin receptor antagonists as potential neuroprotective agents for the treatment of glaucoma. A second project is aimed at developing neuroregenerative strategies in rodent models of optic neuropathy. Ongoing projects include analysis of the POU domain transcription factor, Brn3b (POU4F2) in rodent models of glaucoma and  in vivo overexpression of Brn3b using viral vectors to attenuate axon loss and promote regeneration of the optic nerve. 

Rustin E Reeves, Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Vice Chair of Anatomy Education

My research interests include K-12 science outreach programs for teachers and students in area public schools. Activities planned through the anatomy program in our department are designed to tweak young student’s interested in science and medicine as viable education and career choices. We bring students and teachers to the health science center to participate in a variety of activities/workshops that expose them to unique opportunities found only at a medical and/or graduate school environment. Workshops for K-12 teachers and students include lecture and laboratory sessions in anatomy, histology, physiology and neuroanatomy. In addition, teachers are trained in current science content, computer technology, and laboratory techniques through a variety of outreach programs. Information derived in these outreach programs can be taken directly into the K-12 classroom for use with students, and will last for the professional lifetime of the teacher. Others areas of interest include the integration of computer-based instructional materials into the medical and graduate school curricula. In collaboration with colleagues at UNTHSC, a web-based anatomy dissector was developed for use in the human gross anatomy laboratory. Over the past four years, new research projects have emerged, in collaboration with faculty in the Department of Orthopedics, for graduate students in the Structural Anatomy Ph.D. Program. This program is designed to train future anatomists, while giving students the opportunity to develop a thesis-based research project. Students spend the first two years taking the graduate and anatomical core courses, then spend the next two years as teaching assistants in the other anatomy programs (TCOM, PA/PT, and Medical Science) while working on their research projects. Research on innovative anatomy education tools is also encouraged as potential projects for the Structural Anatomy Ph.D. students.

Wolfram Siede, Ph. D.
Associate Professor

Current projects are aimed at understanding cellular regulation following DNA damage, using yeast as a model. It is known that genetic stability is preserved by cell cycle arrest, accompanied by regulation of DNA repair enzymes. We are studying the molecular mechanisms that activate these responses. We are also involved in elucidating the regulation of damage-bypass polymerases that result in DNA damage tolerance. Such research is important for understanding the genetic instability phenotype of cancer cells. The conservation of basic mechanisms makes yeast an attractive model system. Most recently, we are also exploring ways of using yeast for screening and characterization of novel anti-cancer drugs.
 

Robert Wordinger, Ph. D.
Professor

Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness worldwide and is characterized by a defect in the ability of aqueous humor to drain efficiently through the trabecular meshwork. This abnormality results in elevated intraocular pressure resulting in death of retinal ganglion cells and subsequent blindness. Our laboratory studies gene and protein expression of growth factors and neurotrophins by human trabecular meshwork cells and cells of the human optic nerve head. We wish to understand the role theses factors play normally and in the pathophysiology of glaucoma. Modern cell and molecular biology techniques are utilized by graduate students and research associates. Ultimately we wish to discover new and innovative methodologies for the diagnosis, management and treatment of glaucoma.
 

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