Contact
Research/Lab Website
Roles
Professor of Ophthalmology
Director of Laboratory Research, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute
Associate Director, Masters Program in Vision Science and Investigative Ophthalmology
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Biography
Abigail Hackam, Ph.D. is a Professor at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Director of Laboratory Research at Bascom Palmer, and Associate Director of the Master’s of Science in Vision Science and Investigative Ophthalmology at the University of Miami. Her PhD training was in Human Genetics at Johns Hopkins University, followed by post-doctoral positions in Medical Genetics at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, and in Ophthalmology, at the Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University. The long-term research objectives of Dr. Hackam’s laboratory are to identify cellular signaling mechanisms that underlie retinal homeostasis and response to injury. The current research topics in the Hackam lab include characterizing the therapeutic effect of the Wnt signaling pathway in optic nerve regeneration and understanding the role of innate immunity in retinal degenerations. Additional research projects include identifying dietary and environmental influences on ocular disease. Dr. Hackam serves on national and international grant review committees, participates extensively in graduate education and is active in promoting vision research to the general public at community outreach programs and by mentoring young scientists at early stages of their careers. -
Education & Training
Education
Post Graduate Training
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Teaching Interests
Graduate level courses taught: OPH630, Ophthalmic Genetics; PIBS702; NEU631, Genetic Diseases of the Nervous System -
Research Interests
1. Identification of photoreceptor protective proteins: the role of the Wnt signaling pathways in retinal degeneration.
The retina is a thin multi-layer tissue at the back of the eye that is essential for vision. Degenerative diseases of the retina, such as retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), lead to visual disturbances and eventual loss of sight. These diseases are a result of damage and death of photoreceptors, the light-sensing cells in the retina. The treatment of retinal degeneration diseases requires a better understanding of molecules involved in regulating photoreceptor survival. A major focus of our research is identifying and characterizing photoreceptor protective factors. Our studies explore the canonical and non-canonical Wnt signaling pathways, a critical intercellular communication pathway, which we showed protects photoreceptors from degeneration. Our current focus is on understanding the mechanisms of action of Wnt signaling, the receptors involved, the central role of Muller glia in inducing Wnt signaling and the potential for Wnt activators as novel therapeutics for retinal disease.
2. The role of innate immunity in retinal degeneration.
We demonstrated that activation of innate immunity pathway influences photoreceptor survival. Current topics include exploring mechanisms by which innate immunity signals suppress neuroprotective Wnt signaling, identifying glial-secreted cytokines that regulate anti- and pro-inflammatory signaling, characterizing the role of innate immunity receptors in neuronal cells, and determining how innate immune pathways are regulated by oxidative stress levels. These studies provide insight into how inflammation and neuroprotective signaling are regulated during retinal degeneration.
3. Identification of optic nerve regeneration factors.
A major focus of the lab is repurposing embryonic axonal growth proteins to promote axonal regeneration after optic nerve injury. We demonstrated that various Wnt ligands promote robust axonal growth and retinal ganglion cell survival. Our current work characterizes mechanisms of action, the roles of extrinsic and intrinsic regenerative cues, identifies the key receptors and signaling proteins involved and tests virally delivered axonal growth factors. These experiments will ultimately identify potential therapeutic molecules for regrowing the optic nerve.
4. Investigating the contribution of diet and environmental factors to ocular disease.
Environment and genetics interact in complex ways to influence inflammation and neuronal survival in the retina. Ongoing studies are investigating how specific diets, such as ketogenic and lyophilized grape supplement, influence tissue intrinsic responses to injury and act to delay vision loss. Additionally, we are interested in how environmental pollutants alter inflammatory markers in ocular surface disease.
5. Drug discovery.
We have developed a Muller glia-photoreceptor culture system that enables us to test novel compounds that regulate photoreceptor survival. -
Publications
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