Projects per year
Personal profile
Research Interests
Visual Sciences, Glaucoma, Histology, and Molecular Mechanisms
URL
Area of Expertise
Our lab is dedicated to investigating the dysregulated molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of glaucoma. Specifically, we study primary human cells in the optic nerve head (ONH), ONH astrocytes and lamina cribrosa (LC) cells. In glaucoma, the increase in intraocular pressure is transmitted to the back of the eye, causing stretching and straining of the ONH cells. This results in ONH cells contributing to the extracellular remodeling within the LC region of the ONH in glaucoma. Our research is particularly interested in exploring the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the development of glaucoma. miRNAs are negative regulators of protein translation. We have found that TGF-beta 2 treated and glaucoma ONH cells from human donors have an increased expression of profibrotic miRNAs and a decreased expression of anti-fibrotic miRNAs. Investigating the role of miRNAs in glaucomatous ONH could lead to new therapeutic targets for glaucoma.
Techniques
Molecular biology techniques, cell culture, microscopy, histology
Education/Academic qualification
MS in Cell Biology & Genetics, UNT Health Science Center
PhD in Cell Biology & Genetics, UNT Health Science Center
BS in Biology, University of The Incarnate Word
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Preclinical Evaluation of Graybug Vision Compound
Clark, A. (PI), Tovar-Vidales, T. (CoI), Liu, Y. (CoI) & Millar, C. (CoI)
5/06/17 → 4/06/19
Project: Research
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Role of MicroRNAs(miRNAs) in the Pathologic Fibrosis in the Glaucomatous Optic Nerve Head
Tovar-Vidales, T. (PI)
16/02/17 → 15/02/18
Project: Research
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Perfusion-cultured bovine anterior segments as an ex vivo model for studying glucocorticoid-induced ocular hypertension and glaucoma
Mao, W., Tovar-Vidales, T., Yorio, T., Wordinger, R. J. & Clark, A. F., Oct 2011, In: Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science. 52, 11, p. 8068-8075 8 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Transforming growth factor-β2 induces expression of biologically active bone morphogenetic protein-1 in human trabecular meshwork cells
Tovar-Vidales, T., Fitzgerald, A. M., Clark, A. F. & Wordinger, R. J., 2013, In: Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science. 54, 7, p. 4741-4748 8 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Identification and localization of lamina cribrosa cells in the human optic nerve head
Tovar-Vidales, T., Wordinger, R. J. & Clark, A. F., 1 Jun 2016, In: Experimental eye research. 147, p. 94-97 4 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Focus on Molecules: Transglutaminase 2
Tovar-Vidales, T., Clark, A. F. & Wordinger, R. J., Jul 2011, In: Experimental eye research. 93, 1, p. 2-3 2 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Short survey › peer-review
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Isolation and characterization of human optic nerve head astrocytes and lamina cribrosa cells
Lopez, N. N., Clark, A. F. & Tovar-Vidales, T., Aug 2020, In: Experimental eye research. 197, 108103.Research output: Contribution to journal › Short survey › peer-review