What we study

• Extracellular matrix functions in the healthy cornea
• Extracellular matrix changes and underlying genetic causes in a degenerative corneal disease called keratoconus
• Extracellular matrix interactions with immune cells and regulations of host response to infections and inflammation

We are interested in understanding how the extracellular matrix (ECM) regulates cellular functions and tissue homeostasis. The ECM is a network of collagens, proteoglycans, and glycoproteins that facilitates cell communication and function in multicellular organisms. The macromolecular composition and the structure of the ECM change with the needs of the particular tissue. Importantly, in an ECM that is remodeling by degradation and de novo synthesis of proteins, the components are more readily available to interact with cells to provide instructive signals during repair and regeneration. We strive to understand dysregulations in these cell-ECM interactions that form the basis of many pathological conditions.