Yan Zhang, MD, PhD
Education
PhD, Vision Science (2007-2013), University of California, Berkeley
Professional Experience
2005-2006: Research Fellow
National Institute of Health
2013-Present: Clinician Scientist
University of California, Berkeley
Research Interests
The emphasis of my research is the molecular and cellular processes underlying the eye growth regulation and myopia development. Specifically, I investigate the role of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) in eye growth regulation. Because of the location of RPE between the neural retina and choroid, it may play a critical role in relaying signals from the retina to choroid and sclera. RPE may also play a more direct role in regulating eye growth through the secretion of growth factors and/or cytokines. I use model systems to study form-deprivation and lens-induced changes in gene expression in RPE and cell cultures to study the effects of analogs of retinal neurotransmitters, e.g. apomorphine, on RPE expression and secretion of growth factors. Understanding the role of RPE in eye growth regulation may lead to novel pharmacological and genetic approaches to myopia control.
Selected Publications
Teaching
VS206C (PBL, Discussion Session): Anatomy and Physiology of the Eye and Visual System. School of Optometry & Vision Science, UC Berkeley