The long-term goal of my laboratory is to identify and evaluate genetic determinants underlying inherited retinal diseases and develop appropriate therapeutic interventions to prevent and treat the blindness associated with these disorders. Our research includes genetic models for Mendelian retinal diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa (RP) as well as complex diseases such as age related macular dystrophy (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy. We utilize current molecular genetics and genomics approaches including whole exome sequencing, in vivo, ex vivo, and in vitro assays to study retinal degeneration, photoreceptor regeneration, neovascularization, and potential therapeutics that ameliorate or attenuate the disease phenotypes in each of these models. I have developed or acquired approximately 30 unique mouse models that include spontaneous mutants, conditional knockouts using cre-lox technology to target rod and cone photoreceptor cells as well as retinal progenitor cells, models that express GFP in their rods or cones, and most recently we are developing complex models for AMD with multiple gene knockouts using CRISPR technology.Current research projects include:1. develop and test novel gene therapies for retinal disease 2. study the role of nuclear hormone receptors in photoreceptor development and function3. identify the genetic causes of AMD4. study the role of nuclear hormone receptors in ocular regeneration and cell therapy5. identify novel causes and therapies for retinal neovascular disease 6. identify genetic modifiers and novel mutations in patients with retinal disease7. the role of nuclear hormone receptors in cell cycle regulation and cancer