Alpha
Crystallin Evolution
and Function
Effect of Aging
on
the Zebrafish Lens
Role of
Crystallins in
Lens Development
My lab investigates
the evolution and biological role of lens proteins
called crystallins. These proteins are responsible
for making the lens transparent and refracting
light so that focused images fall on the retina.
Amazingly, one family of crystallins, the alpha
crystallins, also protect other proteins from the
harmful effects of aging and stress that can lead
to lens cataracts, one of the leading causes of
blindness in humans. Most research on lens
crystallins is performed with mammals, but we study
various fish species to learn unique information
about how these proteins work.
Click on the images below to learn more about our current projects
Lab
Members
