Microbiome, Infection, Immunity and Inflammation |
The group is interested in diseases that develop in the anterior segment of the eye including those that arise on the surface of the cornea because of deficiency in stem cells, environmental insults, from infection or autoimmunity. Our overarching goal is to determine the triggering factors and the mechanisms by which they develop. It is hoped that this information will provide vital clues for devising novel therapeutic strategies.
Our research is conducted using patient-derived and cadaveric donor specimens including tissue, blood, DNA and cells. Transgenic and preclinical animal and cell culture models complement our human tissue-based studies. Our investigations use molecular, biochemical and genetic approaches as well as cutting-edge imaging, image analysis and microscopy platforms.
Current projects
Our current projects include:
- Understanding how stem cells maintain the cornea under steady-state.
- Understanding how stem cells partake in wound-healing.
- Developing animal models of physiological wound healing.
- Developing preclinical animal models of severe corneal disease.
- Discovering better markers for corneal stem cells to devise better transplantation/grafting strategies for patients with severe corneal disease.
- Identify better scaffold/carriers of corneal stem cells: a bioengineering-regenerative medicine approach to restore eye health and vision.
- Understanding how the cornea and its stem cells are impacted by metabolic disease including diabetes and obesity.
Highlighted publications
- Di Girolamo N, 2024, 'Biologicals and Biomaterials for Corneal Regeneration and Vision Restoration in Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency', Advanced Materials, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/adma.202401763
- Di Girolamo N; Park M, 2023, 'Cell identity changes in ocular surface Epithelia', Progress in Retinal and Eye Research, 95, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.preteyeres.2022.101148
- Park M; Richardson A; Delic N; Nguyen K; Biazik J; Zhang R; Sprogyte L; Nureen L; Lees J; Fajardo A; Kunicki U; Watson SL; Males J; Girolamo ND, 2023, 'A Bioengineering-Regenerative Medicine Approach for Ocular Surface Reconstruction Using a Functionalized Native Cornea-Derived Bio-Scaffold', Advanced Functional Materials, 33, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202304856
- Park M; Zhang R; Pandzic E; Sun M; Coulson-Thomas VJ; Di Girolamo N, 2022, 'Plasticity of ocular surface epithelia: Using a murine model of limbal stem cell deficiency to delineate metaplasia and transdifferentiation', Stem Cell Reports, 17, pp. 2451 - 2466, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.stemcr.2022.09.011
- Park M; Richardson A; Pandzic E; Lobo EP; Lyons JG; Girolamo ND, 2019, 'Peripheral (not central) corneal epithelia contribute to the closure of an annular debridement injury', Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 116, pp. 26633 - 26643, http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1912260116
Our experts
Professor Nick Di Girolamo - Group Leader
Professor Nick Di Girolamo is a research-focused academic leading an internationally recognised group whose mission is to restore sight in patients blinded from severe corneal disease. His expertise is the mammalian cornea, understanding how it develops and heals, and the diseases that develop when its stem cell reserves are depleted. His research program integrates basic sciences, revolutionary animal models, cutting-edge intravital imaging, novel image analysis modalities and world-first clinical trials using adult stem cells; the results of which have demonstrated improved eye health and vision in patients. Nick has received two decades of continuous funding from the NHMRC and other national and international funding agencies and has over 130 peer reviewed published articles.
Team members
- Dr Mijeong Park
- Dr Alexander Richardson
- Ms Lamia Nureen
- Dr Joshua Machet
Associated academics
- Emeritus Professor Denis Wakefield
Collaborators
- A/Prof Orazio Vittorio (SBMS)
- Professor Ewa Goldys (Biomed Eng)
- Professor Stephanie Watson, Save Sight Institute, University of Sydney
- Dr John Male, Save Sight Institute, University of Sydney
- Professor Guy Lyons, Centenary Institute, Sydney
Honor students
- Lina Sprogyte – PhD candidate
- Mina Rezkalla (Hons student)
Research Theme