Cheng Lab

Lens Cell and Molec. Bio., @IU_Optometry
Studying age-related lens pathologies
Trained @BerkeleyBioE & @scrippsresearch
Pic.: K. Dunlap

[Cheng Lab @ChengLabIU]

We examined EphA2's ability to signal canonically via receptor-ligand interaction and non-canonically via ligand-independent binding. Non-canonical EphA2 signaling is typically associated with cancerous cells or tissues.

[Cheng Lab @ChengLabIU]

Congrats Jenna, Michael, Jackson, and Isaiah on the new article; Jenna and Isaiah's first with the lab! Of note, our data is the first showing that non-canonical EphA2 signaling is active in normal lenses, and our results suggest a physiological function. https://t.co/cYC3f8zRWw

[Cheng Lab @ChengLabIU]

Happy Birthday to Gryffin! Glad we were able to fit in a birthday lunch amidst all the work and study!

[Cheng Lab @ChengLabIU]

Dr. Cheng's chapter on Lens Structure is now available digitally, ahead of the full Encyclopedia of the Eye, 2nd Edition's physical print. Contact our lab ([email protected] or [email protected]) to get a digital copy of the chapter!

[Cheng Lab @ChengLabIU]

We recently had Dr. Yuka Okada visit us for some research and some fun! Thanks for coming Yuka, we'll see you again soon!

[Cheng Lab @ChengLabIU]

The lab was able to celebrate Peter's birthday recently with a fun lunch! Happy Birthday Peter!

[Cheng Lab @ChengLabIU]

This review highlights recent work uncovering mechanisms influencing lens stiffness & elasticity that may serve as novel pharmaceutical targets for treating, delaying, and/or preventing presbyopia.

[Cheng Lab @ChengLabIU]

Read our new review on tissue, cellular, & molecular factors for lens biomechanics in @FrontOphthalmol! Increased lens stiffness & decreased elasticity are long believed to contribute age-related loss of accommodation, presbyopia, & thus reading glasses. https://t.co/bJVppHE4dn

[Alliance for Vision Research @NAEVRAdvocacy]

Vision loss and blindness have a profound and far-reaching impact on individuals, their families, caregivers, and society as a whole. Push back on the House proposal to consolidate the @NatEyeInstitute!

Act now! https://t.co/HpnxxVg5rC

[Cheng Lab @ChengLabIU]

Very excited to share that Gryffin Flowers was awarded a scholarship from @IU_Optometry to pursue his M.S. degree alongside his O.D.! His research project investigates the cellular and molecular mechanisms affecting eye lens biomechanical properties. Way to go, Gryffin!

[Cheng Lab @ChengLabIU]

Dr. Chiang presented new NEI projects and initiatives for data gathering, storage, and sharing. He also took time to congratulate the student award winners. Thank you IU Ophthalmology, in the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Eye Institute for hosting this wonderful research meeting!

[Cheng Lab @ChengLabIU]

Congrats to Jenna Horner & Gryffin Flowers on earning best talk and best poster awards at Heartland Vision Research Symposium 2024! HVRS highlights innovative vision research from the US heartland, this year, the keynote was Dr. Michael Chiang, @NEIDirector.

[Cheng Lab @ChengLabIU]

With some cooperation from the weather, we were able to celebrate Jenna's birthday!

[Cheng Lab @ChengLabIU]

Take a look at @PeterTheHuynh first article with our lab where he further narrows the list of potential EphA2 and ephrin-A5 binding partners within the lens! This opens the way for more effective and informative protein work within the lens! Have a read: https://t.co/qYno8SOHHd

[Cheng Lab @ChengLabIU]

At #ARVO2024, Dr. Catherine Cheng handed over the position as ARVO AMPC chair to Dr. Xingjun Fan and welcomed the newest LE section member, Dr. Janice Walker! Thanks to everyone on the ARVO Annual Meeting Program Committee for their contributions to make the meeting successful!

[Cheng Lab @ChengLabIU]

Also at #ARVO2024, Michael presented a poster and moderated a poster session! His first attendance at ARVO was lots of fun as can be seen in the photo with Dr. Chia-Yang Liu, Dr. Yuka Okada, and Dr. Cheng!

[Cheng Lab @ChengLabIU]

Congratulations Gryffin! We're excited to have you in the lab over the summer!

[Cheng Lab @ChengLabIU]

The symposium title is "Innovative approaches for harnessing novel small and biomolecules for the treatment of eye diseases". Thanks to Dr(s). Connie Tam, Catherine Cheng, @LauraEnsignPhD , Martin Friedlander, Raghu Krishnamoorthy, @stankowskalab, Ram H. Nagaraj, Peter F. Kador.

[Cheng Lab @ChengLabIU]

The Thursday #ARVO2024 symposium, organized and moderated by Dr(s). @stankowskalab and Catherine Cheng, was abundant with great ideas and science! Thank you to the presenters and the attendees for the insightful discussion on biomolecules and drug delivery to the eye!

[Cheng Lab @ChengLabIU]

Thank you for the great presentations at this session ("Biomechanical properties of normal, aging, and pathological eye tissues"): Dr(s). Kirill Larin, Giuliano Scarcelli, Catherine Cheng, C. Ross Ethier, and Christine Frances Wildsoet!

[Cheng Lab @ChengLabIU]

Organized by #ARVO2024 LE section and moderated by Dr(s). @bmaceo and Shizuka Koh, the mini-symposium was very successful! It was so full, researchers were standing along the walls! Thank you organizers, moderators, presenters, and attendees for the great work and engagement!