Department of Ophthalmology

University of Michigan

Ann Arbor, MI

BASIC RESEARCH PROJECT

Control of neurogenesis during retinal development

Research Interests

The irreversible loss of retinal neurons underlies the pathology of many blinding diseases, such as macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa and glaucoma. Therefore, effective cell-based therapies that can replenish the se cells via cell transplantation or endogenous reprogramming are urgently needed. To achieve this goal, it is crucial to gain a deep understanding of the gene regulatory networks and mechanisms that control the generation of different retinal cell types. Over the course of retinal development, retinal progenitors progressively generate diverse types of retinal neurons and Müller glia. However, the molecular mechanisms that control this process remain largely unclear.

Plans for 2024

In this study, Dr. Hoang proposes that the transcription factor insulinoma-associated protein (Insm1) plays a key role during retinal development. Dr. Hoang will examine the effect of both loss- and gain-of-function of Insm1 on retinal development as well as determine the mechanism of how Insm1 regulates this process.  Dr. Hoang’s study will enhance the current understanding of how different retinal cell types are produced, as well as help guide cell-based therapies aimed at replacing retinal neurons lost to retinal degenerative disease via exogenous cell transplantation or endogenous reprogramming of resident Müller glia cells.

Dr. Hoang will aim to identify the factors and mechanisms controlling neurogenesis during retinal development. He hypothesizes that Insm1 acts as a key transcription factor that controls the generation of diverse neurons from retinal progenitors during retinal development.