COBRE/Tropical Medicine Seminar

May 2, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
John A. Burns School of Medicine, Medical Education Building Auditorium (Room 315)

Speaker
Janis T. Eells, Ph.D.,
Professor, Department of Biomedical Sciences
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Seminar Title
Unblinded by the Light: NIR Photobiomodulation in Retinal Disease

Abstract
Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative damage to the retina and its components, including photoreceptors, retinal pigment epithelium and retinal ganglion cells, has been implicated in many forms of retinal injury and degeneration including methanol intoxication, light-induced retinal damage, retinopathy of prematurity, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), retinitis pigmentosa and diabetic retinopathy. Mitochondrial repair and attenuation of oxidative stress are key to the long-term survival of the retina. Therapeutic strategies directed towards improving mitochondrial integrity and function and reducing oxidative stress have considerable potential for the treatment of retinal disease. Low­intensity far­red to near­infrared (FR/NIR) light has been shown to act on mitochondria­mediated signaling pathways to preserve mitochondrial function, attenuate oxidative stress, stimulate the production of cytoprotective factors and prevent cell death. FR/NIR photons penetrate the brain, retina and optic nerve and this treatment, commonly known as photobiomodulation (PBM) has documented efficacy in the treatment of retinal injury and disease. This seminar will focus on investigations into the mechanism of action and therapeutic efficacy of PBM in experimental and clinical retinal disease.


Event Sponsor
Pacific Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases Research/Tropical Medicine, Mānoa Campus

More Information
Cori Watanabe, (808) 692-1654, corit@hawaii.edu, Janis Eells Seminar 050218 (PDF)

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