Shukti Chakravarti, PhD, director of basic science research at NYU Langone’s Department of Ophthalmology, investigates cells and the extracellular matrix (ECM) of the cornea in health and disease. Dr. Chakravarti’s lab has identified major ECM proteoglycans crucial for corneal transparency. The team found that some of the same proteoglycans also regulate cellular inflammatory responses during corneal injury and infections currently under investigations for future development of therapeutic targets.

Dr. Chakravati’s team investigates keratoconus where the cornea becomes thin and protrudes causing blurred vision. They are using multiple “OMICs” approaches to understand pathogenic changes in the cells and ECM of the cornea, identify biomarkers and genetic causes of keratoconus. In addition, the team is exploring human corneal organoids developed in cell culture as a model system for testing drugs, gene functions and a source of cells for future cell therapies. Their research is funded by the National Eye Institute of the National Institute of Health.