 |
Marcia Jumblatt, Ph.D."As a cell biologist, I find the eye is an incredibly rich field of study. Occular tissue is so approachable. All the systems are there in front of you...in the cell, in the living eye. You can analyze the systems' on-going operation without the need for invasive surgery. I don't know why every cell biologist doesn't work on the eye. We're very fortunate at this institution to have access to living tissue at the eye bank." |
The paradox of science is that you can occasionally delve deep by just scratching the surface. This is especially true of Dr. Marcia Jumblatt, who concentrates on the tissue cells that make up the ocular surface. Trained as a cell biologist, Dr. Jumblatt examines the structure and function of corneal endothelium, as well as the in vitro toxicology of corneal epithelial cells. Her pioneering work has earned her two patents for new methods of testing biocompatibility, as well as enhancing healing of corneal endothelial wounds. Her most recent emphasis is on a family of ocular disorders known as dry eye diseases. Normal epithelial cells of the cornea and conjuctiva secrete proteins called mucins, which serve a protective role by lubricating the surface of the eye and reducing inflammation. Dry eye diseases often involve a limiting of these helpful secretions. The goal of Dr. Jumblatt's research is to find a way to synthesize or regulate these mucin secretions to protect the surface of the eye.
Current Position
Associate Professor, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Associate Professor, Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology On Staff since 1987
Research Specialties
Dry Eye Diseases Corneal Cell Biology Conjunctivia Dry Eye Diseases
Contact Information
mmjumb01@athena.louisville.edu
University of Louisville
Dept. Of Ophthalmology & Visual Science
301 E. Muhammad Ali Blvd.
Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 852-8669
FAX - (502) 852-0691
Current Grants
National Institutes of Health/National Eye Institute 9/2001 - 8/2005 Principal Investigator, Grant RO1 EY10736, Total direct costs $700,000. "Human Conjunctival Mucins: Expression and Secretion"
Select Publications
Jumblatt, M.M., McKenzie, R., Emberts, C., and Jumblatt, J.E.: MUC5AC Mucin is a component of the human pre-ocular tear film. Invest. Ophthal. Vis. Sci. 40: 43-49, 1999.
Education
University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, B.A., 1968 Columbia University, New York City, New York, M.A. Cell Biology, 1971 University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, Ph.D, Anatomical Sciences & Neurobiology, 1990
Professional Societies and Affiliations
Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, American Association for the Advancement of Science, International Society for Eye Research, Tear Film and Ocular Surface Society, and the American Society for Cell Biology.